Iran minister urges wary French banks to return to Tehran
PARIS - Iran's trade and industry minister urged French banks on Thursday to overcome their wariness about doing business with the country, seeking to drum up much-needed foreign investment.
French banks have been reluctant to handle deals with Iran, deterred by a $9 billion US fine on Paris-based BNP Paribas in 2014 for sanctions violations, even as both governments celebrated renewed ties.
Iran's industry minister Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, speaking at a Franco-Iranian business forum, said there were no longer obstacles to keep French banks from doing business with Iran.
"If they don't get active, there will be no increase in business," he warned.
