Iran–Italy relations

As a succeeding heir to the proud Persian and Roman Empires, Iran and Italy for the most part have enjoyed subsistent, long, and cordial relations in history.

History

Classical era

Sassanid Persia had intense, often adverserial relations with Rome and Byzantium in antiquity. This era lasted for several centuries until the Islamic Conquest of Persia transferred the power in Iran to Arab muslims for the next 2 centuries.

Medieval era

Relations between Iran and Italy have existed ever since Marco Polo traversed Iran on his way to China during the late 13th century.

Pope Innocent IV also sent religious missionaries into Iran in an attempt to win over the Ilkhanate rulers of Iran. Lombard Ascelino for example, met an Ilkhanid commander near Tbilisi, and Giovanni da Pian del Carpine met Güyük Khan while many Venetian ambassadors visited Aq Qoyunlu courts, with increasing visitors up through the Safavid era. [Patrick Clawson. "Eternal Iran". Palgrave 2005 ISBN 1-4039-6276-6, p.25]

Iranian Revolution and Iran–Iraq War

Unfortunately however, Italo-Iranian relations would also take a turn for the worst. Bilateral relations were strategically damaged in the 1980s when Iran distanced itself from all, if not most Western countries following the Islamic Revolution, and when Italy supplied Iran's enemy with economic and naval assistance throughout the Iran–Iraq War. Relations were normalized following the conflict's end in 1988.

Modern era and current relations

Iran-Italy trade stood at $US 2.7 Billion in 2001 [http://www.payvand.com/news/01/feb/1137.html] and 3.852 Billion Euros in 2003. [http://www.iran-daily.com/1383/2116/html/national.htm#16458] In 2005, Italy was the third largest trading partner of Iran with 7.5% of all exports to Iran. [http://www.payvand.com/news/06/may/1046.html] Italy was the top trading partner of Iran in the European Union in early 2006. [ [http://www.payvand.com/news/07/jan/1338.html Italy remains top trading partner of Iran in EU ] ]

Although Italy harbors a large population of members of the MKO as do many European Union states, Italy officially considers the group a terrorist organization. [http://www.irandidban.com/enlist/intl-viewpoint.asp]

Cultural relations

In recent years, some soccer players from Iran's Team melli have been absorbed by Italian Serie A clubs. Rahman Rezai (currently of A.S. Livorno Calcio) and Ali Samereh (formerly of Perugia Calcio) are some notable examples.

The movie "Soraya", directed by Lodovico Gasparini [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348076/] , was released in 2004, depicting the story of Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiari. Former Miss Italy Anna Valle [http://www.annavalle.com/] played the leading role of the Persian Princess who was forced to divorce from the Shah of Iran (played by German actor Erol Sander) after failing to give him an heir to the Peacock Throne. French actor Claude Brasseur plays the role of Prime Minister Mossadegh. The film was released in Italy on Rai Uno. [http://www.iranian.com/Pictory/2003/March/s29.html]

In 2004, Italian experts were also reportedly working on plans to expand the National Museum of Iran beyond its current capacity. [http://www.payvand.com/news/04/jul/1158.html] [http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=38720&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs]

References

ee also

*Foreign relations of Iran
*Foreign relations of Italy

External links

* [http://openweb.tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/1999-3/1999-03-09-CNN-5.html Vanderbilt University video link: Iran-Italy relations during president Khatami's presidency]