In a meeting in Tehran, Iranian and Italian officials sought ways to keep trade ties alive despite sanctions, with visa facilitation for businesspeople emerging as a key demand.
Samad Hassanzadeh, president of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), told Italy’s ambassador Paola Amadei that the two countries have maintained relations under restrictions but need to do more to strengthen them. He pointed to the Iran-Italy Joint Chamber, chaired by Ahmad Pourfallah, as a driving force behind growing exchanges.
Hassanzadeh said Iran has made progress in petrochemicals, new technologies, artificial intelligence, industrial machinery and refineries despite sanctions. He called for easier visas for traders on both sides and for more Italian trade delegations to visit Iran. Friendship with all countries and expanded trade, social and scientific ties remain priorities for the Islamic Republic, he added, and ICCIMA is trying to develop trade relations on that basis.
Building materials were highlighted as a promising sector. Hassanzadeh noted that many Iranian ceramic and stone units use Italian technology and even export to Italy. He also said the 34 provincial chambers could help expand bilateral trade and invited Amadei to visit different provinces to see economic capacities.
Pourfallah described the Iran-Italy Joint Chamber as one of Europe’s oldest active chambers and Italy as Iran’s first European trade partner. He cited Italian knowledge transfer in tourism, ceramics and stone, mining, oil and leather, and said an Italian economic actor sits on the joint chamber’s board. He praised the environment for Iranian students in Italy and called his Italian Knight’s Order a sign of close ties.
Amadei stressed the long history of Iran-Italy relations and readiness to plan for stronger scientific and research cooperation. She said Italian industrial machinery and pharmaceuticals are important areas, and that targeted provincial visits are part of her work. On visas, she said follow-ups and good measures have been taken, but forms must be completed accurately. Iranian students in Italy have increased, and more than 100 received full Italian government scholarships this year, she said. Italian firms can pursue relations in non-sanctioned areas, and the Italian Trade Agency office in Tehran provides information to traders. She also cited decades of archaeological cooperation. Both sides expressed hope that continued dialogue, business events and people-to-people exchanges would help sustain momentum until sanctions are lifted. The meeting underscored the depth of commercial and cultural links built over decades.
