Georgia’s Foreign Ministry Iranian Ambassador Seyed Ali Moujani on September 30 over comments he on social media concerning Queen Ketevan, a Georgian queen-regent who was tortured and executed in Persia in 1624 after refusing to convert to Islam and was later canonised by the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili told Moujani that his statements went beyond the scope of diplomatic activity and had negatively affected public sentiment. He also stressed that diplomatic representatives accredited in Georgia should observe established diplomatic norms and refrain from interpreting the history and domestic affairs of the host country.

The dispute followed a September 25 Facebook post by Moujani in which he announced plans to publish the preliminary findings of his research on Queen Ketevan, including documents and historical sources preserved in Iran and Georgia. The post was accompanied by an image of the queen projected onto the facade of the Iranian Embassy in Tbilisi.

Moujani described the planned publication as a historian’s personal assessment rather than an official account or a definitive interpretation. He referred to differing historical narratives surrounding Queen Ketevan and presented the research as a possible means of deepening understanding between Georgians and Iranians.

The remarks triggered criticism from across Georgia’s political and religious spectrum. Georgian Dream lawmaker Nikoloz Samkharadze the ambassador to remain within diplomatic protocol, while representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church rejected the suggestion that the established account of Queen Ketevan’s death should be reconsidered.

Queen Ketevan remains an important figure in Georgian religious and historical memory. Her martyrdom is commemorated by the Georgian Orthodox Church on September 26.

The Foreign Ministry expressed hope that similar incidents would not recur and warned that further measures could be considered if they did, without specifying what those measures might be.

The dispute follows other recent controversy surrounding Moujani’s public statements. Earlier in September, he drew criticism after commenting on Georgia’s decision to join expanded US sanctions on Iranian airlines. His remarks included a social media post accompanied by a map of the Black Sea region that omitted parts of Georgia, which also prompted concern in the country.

The latest episode takes place as Georgia and Iran continue to maintain active political and economic ties.