Earlier on Monday, Gabriel made comments about Israeli regime, saying Iran needs to recognize the Israel's right to exist. The remarks angered Iranian officials, among whom was Judiciary Chief Sadegh Amoli Larijani who recommended government to deny admittance to German minister. Zarif also contributed to the scene, cancelling prospective meeting with Gabriel to exacerbate the situation for him.
When in Tehran, Gabriel signed 10 MoUs with Iranian companies and industries, after a historic nuclear deal paved the way for ending sanctions that had been in place for years. Among the most important contracts signed between Iran and Germany is Siemens' contract to upgrade Iran's railway network. Mitsubishi Germany also signed a contract to modernize a gas-fired plant.
On his first day in Tehran, Gabriel was received only lukewarmly by Gholam-Hossein Shafei, the head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), on Monday. He then attended Iran-Germany Joint Business Commission.
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