Araqchi: European Countries Seeking Economic Cooperation with Iran

"We are now in a position we can select our economic partners and determine what countries we want to work with," Araqchi said in a meeting with members of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy commission.

"European foreign ministers are queueing up to travel to Iran, but it does not mean that we'll offer whatever they would want. Rather, it is us who have the choice," he added.

The visits by the Western delegations and European officials to Iran would not translate into Tehran's approval to economic cooperation with them, the senior diplomat added

Meanwhile, he noted, Iran will not forget their past records when it comes to promotion of cooperation in the future.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Araqchi referred to the "resistance economy" doctrine and explained that although Iran's policies are based upon this doctrine, that would not be tantamount to an "isolationist economy".

It (resistance economy) "means interaction with other countries without dependence on them," he stated.

Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14 reached a conclusion on a lasting nuclear agreement that would terminate all sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear energy program after coming into force.

The promising prospect of trade with Iran has prompted major European countries to explore the market potential in the populous Middle East nation.

Earlier in July, a high-ranking German delegation led by Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel visited Iran as the first foreign delegation in Tehran after the nuclear conclusion.

Spain has also plans to send its ministers of trade, energy and tourism, along with a 40-strong trade delegation, to Iran in early September.