Challenges and Opportunities in the Relations between Iran and Georgia

The Islamic Republic of Iran, same as many other countries, recognized the sovereignty and independence of Georgia after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of its republics including Georgia. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and Georgia's declaration of independence, the relations between Tehran and Tbilisi have generally been at a favorable level. Indeed, in spite of some opportunities for improving the level of relations between the two countries, the challenging factors have actually increased the restriction on the relations between Tehran and Tbilisi. The present study while briefly referring to the history of Iran-Georgia relations, discusses the opportunities and challenges in two countries relation. Therefore, the main question in this study is that what are the most significant factors in creation of the challenges and opportunities in the relations between Iran and Georgia? The hypothesis and the possible answer is that the security-oriented approach of Iran's foreign policy and the western-oriented approach of Georgia's foreign policy is a major challenge for relations between the two countries. The results of the research show that the factors such as having historical and cultural connectivity and the existing potential for the economic cooperation are considered as a stimulus for the expansion of relations between the two countries. However, at the same time, there are obstacles and factors such as the West-oriented approach of Georgia, the NATO-Georgia relationship, Georgia's relations with the Israeli and America's regime and joining NATO and so on in front of these relations. The present study was done by using library and descriptive-analytical method.