Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Iran’s Ambassador Seyed Ali Mojani: Geneva – A Test of U.S. Action Before the Logic of Iranian Diplomacy

Geneva – A Test of U.S. Action in the Face of the Logic of Iranian Diplomacy – This was written on the social network X by the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Georgia, Seyed Ali Mojani.

“Today in Geneva, the most important issue is the action of the United States. It was they who called for the resumption of dialogue. This dialogue was previously halted due to their own actions and attacks. Nevertheless, even this request itself constitutes a kind of practical step, though it is not sufficient.

Iran’s position is clear. In negotiations with the United States, we have not discussed ‘Iran,’ nor will we do so in the future. Our dialogue concerns only the nuclear issue. It is the responsibility of diplomacy to conduct nuclear negotiations aimed at lifting sanctions, while it is the responsibility of the defensive structures of the Islamic Republic of Iran to remain constantly prepared to repel threats. Accordingly, these two issues are separate.

Both the diplomatic and defensive structures have demonstrated that they effectively and in coordination carry out their missions. Iran’s twelve-day defensive war in 2025, directed against the aggression of foreign powers, clearly confirmed this reality.

Therefore, it would be a serious mistake for anyone to once again make an incorrect strategic calculation and attempt to test what has already been tested. The real effectiveness of negotiation outcomes is far more important than their form, location, or timing.

The negotiation mechanism has remained continuously active for Iran in recent years. Our negotiators are like drivers who possess the proper licenses and competence: they have the authority to make decisions and act accordingly; they know the road well and understand the risks of deviating from the course. The problem is that the other side constantly ‘turns off the negotiation vehicle’ and primarily thinks about whether it can change the route. This is the greatest mistake in the negotiation process.

If anyone decides to negotiate over Iran’s defensive capabilities, such ‘negotiation’ would fundamentally differ from diplomatic dialogue. It would receive the same type of response as occurred during Iran’s twelve-day defense in the summer of 2025; however, this time its scale and scope would be far broader and stronger than previously witnessed. This is a catastrophic choice, one that Iran does not wish to initiate.

In today’s Geneva negotiations, the necessary competence for decision-making exists. Moreover, Iran’s comprehensive proposals are attractive and effective and can serve as a guiding foundation for agreement. Nevertheless, if a decision is made to move toward an agreement through short but consistent steps, with the presentation of necessary guarantees, this gradual approach may also assist the process in managing the conflict and preventing a major catastrophe for the region and the world,” Mojani writes.

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Tbilisi Mayor: TV Tower illuminated in Lithuania’s colours after official invitation; embassy did not send any request

According to the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, the Lithuanian Embassy did not send an official letter to the Tbilisi Municipality regarding the lighting of the Tbilisi TV Tower in honour of Lithuania’s Independence Day.As Kaladze explained to the media, the tradition of illuminating the Tbilisi TV Tower in the colours of a country’s flag is only carried out when the city hall receives a formal communication from that country’s embassy.“The lighting of the Tbilisi TV Tower works like this: we receive an official letter from the embassy of a specific country, and then the municipality lights it up in the colours of their flag. We do not act independently. Since there was no request from them, we did not illuminate it,” the Mayor clarified.Responding to a question about whether the absence of government officials at the official reception celebrating Lithuania’s Independence Day was related to recent critical statements, Kaladze stated:“We are not making critical remarks about them; we are simply defending our country and our constitution. We will hold accountable those who treat Georgia unfairly. It is our duty to stand up for our nation.As for the official reception, I am not aware of when Lithuania’s Independence Day is. I personally did not receive any invitation, and had I been invited, I would have attended. What’s the problem with that? There was no political issue involved,” said the Mayor of Tbilisi.

President Kavelashvili: October 4 developments demonstrated actual plans of radical groups to organize coup

“Amid facing challenges in the international arena and external pressure on our country, the 2025 local elections had utmost significance.  Although the elections were held at the highest level, in full compliance with international standards, it was obvious to our society that the radical opposition had a completely different plan,” said Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili when delivering his annual report in the parliament.According to the President, the October 4 evening developments, which were obviously motivated and supported by external forces, demonstrated actual plans of radical groups to seize state institutions violently and organize a coup in the country.“The October 4 evening developments demonstrated actual intentions and plans of radical groups to seize state institutions violently and organize a coup in the country. It is distressing that the violent act against Georgia and the coup attempt were obviously motivated and supported by external forces. Such developments in our country only serve the interests of adversaries. It is impossible for anyone who wants to organize a revolution in Georgia to have any sympathy for our country. Without the wisdom and responsibility of the Georgian people towards their country and future, and their trust in the elected government, the processes would have developed tragically for Georgia,” he said.President Kavelashvili commended the Georgian people, alongside law enforcers, for preventing the revolution attempt, for their love of their motherland and dedication.“Together with the Georgian people, we attribute a special role to law enforcement officers and representatives of agencies responsible for the security of our country in averting the fifth attempt of a violent revolution. I extend my gratitude to each of you for your love of our motherland and your dedication.Together with our soldiers and civil servants, you are heroes who tirelessly care for the stability, security, and peace of the state, and this gains special value amid global processes. It is everyone’s duty not to allow anybody to destroy our children’s peaceful future, which we are building with caution and affection,” he concluded.

Georgia’s President: In unpredictable world, defending Georgia’s national interests is imperative, not option

“In a world of deepening unpredictability, where every actor is guided first and foremost by its own strategic interests, it is essential that we defend and safeguard our country’s national interests to the last,” declared Georgia’s President, Mikheil Kavelashvili, as he delivered his address to Parliament.As Mikheil Kavelashvili made clear, the essence of Georgia’s pragmatic, multi-vector foreign policy is the preservation of peace and independence.“The essence of our pragmatic, multi-vector foreign policy is the preservation of peace and independence. Georgia pursues a policy of peace, and we have proved this in deed, which carries fundamental importance not only for our own country but for the security of the entire region. Given the current international climate, if we act effectively, we have every ability to make Georgia a pivotal country for the implementation of international projects, to facilitate economic integration between Asia, Europe and the Middle East, to consolidate the South Caucasus’s status as a regional hub, and to deepen our ties with partner nations still further. In this regard, significant steps were taken by the government in 2025. I would highlight my visits to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, all dedicated to strengthening regional ties and fostering peace in the region.I would like to highlight my cordial and productive visit to Serbia, as well as my recent discussions with the President of Croatia, with whom we fostered a warm and professional relationship. Such cooperation paves the way for new opportunities and strengthens our future relations.My visit to the United Nations in the United States of America also proved to be of considerable significance. We used that platform, once again, to state our central message clearly: Georgia is fully prepared for close relations built on mutual respect for sovereignty, shared interests and mutual benefit,” declared Mikheil Kavelashvili.Turning to Georgia’s relations with the European Union and the United States, the President underlined their central importance in any discussion of foreign policy.“When speaking of foreign policy, our relations with the European Union and the United States of America are, of course, of great significance. It is no secret that, particularly since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the European bureaucracy has been interfering crudely in the internal affairs of our country and conducting itself by double standards. It appears they have yet to reconcile themselves to the fact that Georgia is a sovereign, independent state. They perceive our country as a component of their own geopolitical project, one within which Georgia is expected to fulfil specific objectives set by them. They will have to come to terms with the reality that Georgia is an independent, sovereign and dignified state.Regarding the United States, we have expressed our full readiness to restore and renew our strategic partnership from a clean slate, outlined in our Partnership Roadmap, which details the interests of both nations. It is equally a fact that many of our visions align, and we will closely monitor how events unfold, especially given the complex and unpredictable geopolitical landscape we face today,” stated the President of Georgia.

Figure Skating: Anastasia Metelkina and Luka Berulava win Georgia’s first-ever Winter Olympic medals

At the ongoing Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Georgian figure skaters Anastasia Metelkina and Luka Berulava achieved a historic milestone by securing Georgia’s very first Olympic medal in winter sports.Following an impressive short programme, the Metelkina-Berulava duo was in second place with 75.46 points. They also delivered an outstanding free programme, earning 146.29 points, which brought their total to an admirable 221.75 points, enough to claim the silver medal.Podium positions: 1. Riku Miura, Ryuichi Kihara (Japan) – 231.24 points 2. Anastasia Metelkina, Luka Berulava (Georgia) – 221.75 points 3. Fabienne Hase, Nikita Volodin (Germany) – 219.09 points

Georgia defeats Netherlands with bonus point at European Rugby Championship

The Georgian national rugby team defeated the Netherlands 61:12 with a bonus point in the second round of the European Rugby Championship, in a match held in Amsterdam.Georgia will play its final group-stage match against Spain on February 21 at Avchala Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 16:00.The semifinals will take place on March 7–8, while the final matches will be held in Madrid on March 15.

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