A senior Iranian business leader has called for expanded cooperation between the private sectors of Iran and Australia, stressing that secondary sanctions do not apply to Iranian private companies.
Qadir Qiafeh, Vice President of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), said that despite increased restrictions from secondary US sanctions, private companies in Iran remain exempt and capable of developing international partnerships.
Speaking during a meeting with Australia’s Ambassador to Iran, Ian McConville, held on the sidelines of Iran Expo 2025 at the ICCIMA pavilion, Qiafeh said the chamber is prepared to send a business delegation to Australia focused on the mining, exploration, and livestock product sectors – provided the Australian Embassy supports the initiative.
“Iran and Australia share longstanding trade relations. In addition to being a supplier of meat and livestock products, your country has long provided wool for Iran’s textile industry and has strong capabilities in mining and exploration,” Qiafeh said. “We are eager to expand cooperation in these sectors.”
Payam Baqeri, another Vice President of ICCIMA, echoed the call for deeper ties with Australia, especially amid renewed nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. “The Iran Chamber can play a key role in re-establishing ties between private sectors of both countries,” he said.
Baqeri invited the Australian delegation to visit various provinces in Iran to explore regional economic capacities and foster greater collaboration through local chambers.
Australian Ambassador Ian McConville acknowledged the challenges posed by sanctions but confirmed that trade between the two countries continues. “Despite hurdles, significant volumes of Australian meat are still exported to Iran,” he noted.
McConville emphasized the potential for cooperation in energy and mining, pointing to Australia’s strength in LNG production, coal, and gold mining. “There is great potential for synergy between our two nations in these areas,” he said.