Iran is showcasing hundreds of ancient artifacts, which were repatriated from Western countries over the past two and a half years, on the occasion of the 38th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

All of the artifacts, some dating back 3,500 years, were brought home from collections and museums in the US, Italy, Belgium and the UK.

The 558 artifacts are being displayed at the National Museum of Iran in Tehran in an exhibition that opened on Monday. They include stitching needles and engraved coins which were formerly on display at the University of Chicago's famed Oriental Institute.

The deputy director of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran, Mohammad Hassan Talebian, said that a thawing of relations between Iran and Western countries following the implementation of the 2015 landmark nuclear agreement with world powers had facilitated the return of the artifacts.

"The atmosphere after the nuclear deal was very important…It made it easy to bring back all these objects home," he said.