Report: Iran, Germany to hold major economic conference

Germany and Iran soon will hold their first economic conference in a decade in the wake of a deal with world powers over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, Iran’s state-run news agency reports.

However, the top German official in a delegation visiting Tehran warned Iran that threatening Israel and not respecting human rights could damage these nascent economic efforts.

An IRNA news agency report quotes Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh as saying the conference will be held in late summer or early fall. The last such event was held in 2002 before sanctions targeting Iran over its contested nuclear program.

The conference is aimed at laying the groundwork for businesses in both countries to do more work as sanctions are lifted.

The announcement came after Zanganeh met German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Tehran. Gabriel is heading a delegation of representatives from German companies.

— AP