French company executives to visit Iran amid thaw

Executives from some of the biggest French firms will visit Iran soon, France's largest employers' union said Wednesday, to explore opportunities amid a thaw in relations following a landmark nuclear deal. "It's confirmed," Pierre Gattaz, head of the MEDEF, told AFP in response to a question on the subject. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that executives from companies such as energy giants GDF Suez and Alstom and services and utilities firm Veolia Environnement were due to visit Iran next month. Gattaz refused to say how many companies would be present in the delegation -- put together by MEDEF -- nor when the trip would take place. Iran and Western powers announced Sunday that a six-month deal in which Tehran agrees to roll back sensitive parts of its nuclear programme in exchange for partial relief from sanctions would take effect from January 20. The deal -- agreed in November -- should unblock billions of dollars in funds to Iran, breathe new life into the economy and provide much-needed relief across the country. Sanctions will be eased in the gold and precious metals, auto and petrochemical sectors.