Speaker accuses Transparency International of spreading false information on Parliament’s convening

The Georgian Embassy in Iran issued an alert for Georgian citizens and called on them to refrain from travelling to Iran due to the current situation in the region.“In case of necessity, please, contact the Embassy via hotline: +98 912 299 77 26; +995 599 98 01 89; +995 595 31 16 61; +98 912 075 83 97,” the Embassy said.United States President Donald Trump said the U.S. has begun “major combat operations” in Iran.

“Just a few minutes ago, I met with one of the most knowledgeable and well-known figures on Georgian affairs and Caucasian geopolitics. According to his proposal, the most effective position that Iran should state is the following: ‘Iran did not start the war, and under the Charter of the United Nations, Iran has the legitimate right to self-defense.’ I agree with his statement,” wrote the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Georgia, Seyed Ali Mojani, on the social network X. For your information, Israel announced that it has launched a “preventive strike” against Iran. According to Israeli media, the “initial phase” of a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran will last four days.

The Georgian Embassy in Israel urges Georgian citizens to follow local authorities’ instructions as given on the Embassy’s Facebook page.According to the Embassy, given the current situation of a complex security environment, the following recommendations should be taken into notice:“Upon hearing red alarm signal, follow the instuctions of the local authorities: search for a shelter (it is desirable to know the location of the nearest shelter in advance, close doors and windows if being in a building, find the protected space; if in a street and no shelter available in proximity, lie on the ground and cover your head with hands; if in a car, stop the car, step out, find the shelter, or lie on the ground covering your head by hands;At the recommendation of the local government, crowding at the entrances of buildings is unacceptable; You may leave the building 10 minutes after the alarm signal ends, unless otherwise instructed; It is forbidden to approach a downed air or similar object. If you find one, notify the police.For citizens on a tourist visit, when hearing alarm signals, refrain from leaving a hotel or avoid crowded areas. Avoid areas with large concentrations of law enforcement officers.Additional security information will be available on the Israel Defence Forces Home Front Command website. Also, please follow the embassy’s pages for updated information.In case of urgent need, please contact the Georgian Embassy in Israel at the following number: +972 526 919092, a hotline operating 24/7.We wish peace to Israel and the Israeli people,” the Embassy said.

Mr. Ambassador, allow me to begin with the most important issue — the shadow of war looming over Iran. American military forces are on alert. Military action could begin at any moment. At the same time, Iran has responded to the latest proposals from the United States. In your view, who holds the advantage in this situation? The reality is that no one benefits from war. Over the past weeks, the level of military readiness has been high. However, at the same time, diplomatic channels are also functioning. We are observing developments carefully and with restraint. Iran is a state with a long historical background and extensive security experience. Our strategy is clear: to firmly safeguard our national security while giving serious priority to a political resolution. In such circumstances, victory is defined not by starting a conflict, but by preventing it.To avoid war, an agreement is necessary. How far have nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States progressed? According to the analysis of numerous observers, significant progress has been achieved on fundamental issues. For the United States, the central issue is ensuring that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons. Iran’s position is also clear: weapons of mass destruction have no place in our security doctrine. When there is mutual understanding on this key issue, it represents a major step forward in itself. This means we have already covered half the path. What remains is to continue discussions on implementation mechanisms, the framework of cooperation, partnership, trade, and future investments.If an agreement is not reached, what will happen? Do you consider the likelihood of military conflict realistic? That depends on the decisions taken in Washington by American authorities. What I can say is that any type of conflict would have a regional character, and its cost would not be borne by only one side. Iran does not seek to ignite a war, but it will defend itself without hesitation. Historical experience shows that instability — especially in a sensitive region such as the Middle East — leads to consequences greater than initially predicted. In our view, strategic rationality requires the continuation of the diplomatic path.Iran states that it does not welcome war, yet it does not fear it. Where does this confidence come from? Any country that has experienced complex security challenges trusts in its own defense capabilities. Iran, which over the past decades has been under various pressures and threats, has strengthened its defense structures. However, confidence in defense does not mean that we prefer war. Deterrence exists precisely to prevent war.How would you summarize your position in one sentence? We have achieved progress on fundamental principles and are ready to continue dialogue on the next steps. Iran prioritizes expanding investment, trade, and economic cooperation in our region, as well as creating markets. Spending human and economic resources on conflict leads to undesirable consequences. When you have the opportunity, visit the garden of the British Embassy in Tehran. There lie 500 soldiers who died during the occupation of Iran during World War II. No country wishes to inherit another cemetery instead of industry and trade.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has welcomed the announcement by Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze regarding the review of the database of socially vulnerable families, describing the reform as vitally important.Kaladze emphasised that the granting or withdrawal of social assistance has nothing to do with party affiliation, regardless of how some choose to frame it.“Whenever the question of putting a particular area in order arises, whenever reform is on the table, the speculation and falsehoods inevitably follow. We saw the same thing with prices. Whatever the direction, the moment the government says that change is needed, what we hear in response are lies.Regarding socially vulnerable families, implementing this reform is of utmost importance, and I wholeheartedly welcome it. I have expressed this sentiment on numerous occasions at government meetings; my remarks are on record, should anyone wish to consult them. Despite our country’s ongoing development and economic progress, there remain, regrettably, families and individuals who require our solidarity and support.For as long as such families exist, the state is duty-bound to do everything in its power to stand beside them and help them, whether through healthcare programmes or social support schemes,” Kaladze said.He noted that the database has not been updated since the pandemic period.“The announcement we heard from the Health Minister serves a single purpose: to better support those families and individuals who are in the greatest need today and require our assistance. I recall that during the pandemic, decisions were made regarding support, and those decisions were appropriate at the time. However, circumstances have now changed. Therefore, the database of socially vulnerable families must be reviewed. During that difficult period, many people who received state support were added to the lists. As far as I am aware, the database has not been properly updated since then, which is precisely why the measures outlined by the Minister are so important,” Kaladze said.The Mayor was equally forthright in dismissing as falsehoods any attempt to link the granting or withdrawal of social assistance to party-political considerations.Georgia’s Ministry of Health has announced it is commencing a review of the unified database of socially vulnerable families.