Iran’s President Makes New Friends In Europe

President Hassan Rouhani of Iran took a four-day trip to Italy and France in late January, starting nine days after economic sanctions on Iran were lifted for its compliance with the terms of the nuclear deal. The tour marked the first time in 16 years an Iranian President had visited Europe and set the foundation for new economic ties with the West.

ITALIAN JOBS

Italian and Iranian companies signed about $18 billion worth of mainly steel, oil and ship-making deals on Jan. 25 to mark Rouhani’s visit. “Unemployment creates soldiers for terrorists,” Rouhani said in Rome, where nude statues at the Capitoline Museum were covered up for the Muslim cleric’s visit–despite the outrage of some Italian politicians.

VATICAN VISIT

Rouhani headed to Vatican City on Jan. 26 for a private 40-minute conversation with Pope Francis, the first meeting since 1999 of an Iranian President and a Pope. Francis, who strongly supported the nuclear deal, urged Iran to serve an “important role” in working toward peace in the Middle East. Rouhani asked the Pontiff to pray for him.

MEALS AND DEALS

Rouhani’s arrival in France on Jan. 27 was overshadowed by his reluctance to join President François Hollande for a formal lunch, after France denied Iran’s requests for halal meat and no wine. But Iran was still expected to seal an agreement with French firm Airbus to buy 114 planes. These trade deals could bolster Rouhani ahead of Feb. 26 elections in which his moderate followers hope to prevail.

–JULIA ZORTHIAN