France has opened a business development office in Tehran seeking to renew economic ties with Iran.
French Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll and Minister of State for Foreign Trade Matthias Fekl opened the office on September 21.
Fekl said the opening of the Business France office was "a strong signal of our desire to work in the long-term" with Iran.
Le Foll warned that French companies face "fierce competition" from other European and American firms seeking a slice of the Iranian market following a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
Under the July 14 accord, sanctions will be gradually lifted in return for Iran imposing curbs on nuclear activities, which the West suspects are aimed at making an atomic bomb.
The visit by the French delegation, which includes some 150 business leaders, is to run until September 23.
