More than 100 executives from some of France’s biggest companies are currently on a landmark visit to Iran. It is the largest and most senior foreign business delegation to visit the Islamic republic since the 1979 revolution, Reuters reports.

Iran has long been cut off from trade with the West due to harsh economic sanctions over its nuclear program. But representatives of many Western nations have visited Tehran since the November easing of sanctions following a breakthrough in negotiations.

Companies involved in the French delegation span sectors from defense and petrochemicals to cosmetics. According to France’s former ambassador to Iran, Francois Nicoullaud, many of the firms previously had extensive operations in the country and are eager to return.

[Reuters]

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