Iran-Italy relations
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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.
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[edit] History
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.[1]
[edit] Modern era and current relations
Iran-Italy trade stood at $US 2.7 Billion in 2001[1] and 3.852 Billion Euros in 2003.[2] In 2005, Italy was the third largest trading partner of Iran with 7.5% of all exports to Iran.[3] Italy was the top trading partner of Iran in the European Union in early 2006.[2]
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. [4]
[edit] 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 [5], was released in 2004, depicting the story of Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiari. Former Miss Italy Anna Valle [6] 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.[7]
In 2004, Italian experts were also reportedly working on plans to expand the National Museum of Iran beyond its current capacity.[8][9]
[edit] References
- ^ Patrick Clawson. Eternal Iran. Palgrave 2005 ISBN 1-4039-6276-6, p.25
- ^ Italy remains top trading partner of Iran in EU
