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French Foreign Minister Arrives in Tehran French Foreign Minister Arrives in Tehran
(about 1 hour later)
TEHRAN — The French foreign minister arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, one of the first visits by what is likely to be a string of officials from European countries seeking closer economic and political ties with Iran following the nuclear agreement earlier this month. TEHRAN — The French foreign minister arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, one of the first visits by what is likely to be a string of officials from European countries seeking closer economic and political ties with Iran after the nuclear agreement this month.
The minister, Laurent Fabius, has been a deeply hated figure here for his stance during the nuclear talks, which was perceived by many Iranians to have been particularly harsh. Those talks concluded on July 14, preparing the way for lifting sanctions and opening a path for foreign businesses and investors to return to Iran in exchange for long-term curbs on Tehran’s nuclear program.The minister, Laurent Fabius, has been a deeply hated figure here for his stance during the nuclear talks, which was perceived by many Iranians to have been particularly harsh. Those talks concluded on July 14, preparing the way for lifting sanctions and opening a path for foreign businesses and investors to return to Iran in exchange for long-term curbs on Tehran’s nuclear program.
Despite often having been called a “Zionist lackey” by Iranian state news media in the past, Mr. Fabius was warmly received by officials on Wednesday and his visit was given prime time on state television. Hard-line students who had gathered at the airport to protest his arrival were dragged away by the police, with several of them being arrested. Despite often having been called a “Zionist lackey” by Iranian state news media in the past, Mr. Fabius was warmly received by officials on Wednesday, and his visit was given prominent play on state television. Hard-line students who had gathered at the airport to protest his arrival were dragged away by the police, with several of them being arrested.
The visit by Mr. Fabius comes as French companies such as Airbus and the carmakers Peugeot Citroën and Renault have been seeking to renew ties with local producers that were cut because of the sanctions.The visit by Mr. Fabius comes as French companies such as Airbus and the carmakers Peugeot Citroën and Renault have been seeking to renew ties with local producers that were cut because of the sanctions.
Speaking to reporters in Tehran, Mr. Fabius thanked the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, for his “formula” in the nuclear talks, which the French foreign minister characterized as “yes to non-nuclear energy, no to a nuclear bomb.” Mr. Fabius also referred to the comments he had made during the nuclear talks, when he often stressed that Iran needed to give more concessions. Speaking to reporters in Tehran, Mr. Fabius thanked the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, for his “formula” in the nuclear talks, which Mr. Fabius characterized as “yes to non-nuclear energy, no to a nuclear bomb.” Mr. Fabius also referred to the comments he had made during the nuclear talks, when he often emphasized that Iran needed to give more concessions.
“Our method was to remain firm, because we wanted a deal that no one could object too,” Mr. Fabius said. Now it is time to look to the future, he said, adding that “This deal allows the relations between our countries to develop and allows us to renew cooperation.” “Our method was to remain firm, because we wanted a deal that no one could object to,” Mr. Fabius said. Now it is time to look to the future, he said, adding that “this deal allows the relations between our countries to develop and allows us to renew cooperation.”
He also invited Mr. Rouhani to France for a meeting in November with the French president, François Hollande.He also invited Mr. Rouhani to France for a meeting in November with the French president, François Hollande.
Mr. Fabius’s trip follows a visit to Tehran on Tuesday by Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s foreign policy chief. Last week, the German vice chancellor, Sigmar Gabriel, who is also his country’s economy minister, came with a business delegation. Mr. Fabius will also have several trade-related meetings. Mr. Fabius’s trip follows a visit to Tehran on Tuesday by Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s foreign policy chief. Last week, the German vice chancellor, Sigmar Gabriel, who is also his country’s economy minister, arrived with a business delegation. Mr. Fabius will also have several trade-related meetings.
Iranian officials expressed satisfaction with the visit, pointing to possible cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State militant group and to future business relations. “We are happy to share the same stances with the foreign minister of France,” the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said. Iranian officials expressed satisfaction with the visit, pointing to possible cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State militant group and to future business relations. “We are happy to share the same stances with the foreign minister of France,” said the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Iranian hard-liners have long been free to protest in Iran and their actions have usually been backed by state organizations. But they found themselves in the unusual position of facing off with the police on Wednesday. Iranian hard-liners have long been free to protest in Iran, and their actions have usually been backed by state organizations. But they found themselves in the unusual position of facing off with the police on Wednesday.
The website Masironline accused the police of tearing up placards and attacking the protesters.The website Masironline accused the police of tearing up placards and attacking the protesters.