"Total enjoys more than 20 years of presence in developing Iran's oil projects and considering French companies' willingness, a new chapter is expected to open in the company's activities in [Iran's] oil fields," said the Iranian official. 

Cooperation in optimization of energy consumption, production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and manufacturing and supplying oil industry equipment were also discussed during the meeting, said Zangeneh.

“Iranian and French companies will cooperate for the production of oil industry equipment in Iran under the French brand and through French investment,” Zanganeh said, adding that the equipment will not only be used in Iran, but also exported to regional countries.

Fabius' visit comes following the EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini's one-day Iran visit earlier this week. The visit was aimed at discussing implementation of the outcome of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 countries to resolve a dispute over Iran’s nuclear energy program and the lifting of all sanctions against the Islamic Republic. 

Earlier in the day, he held talks with Zarif and then attended a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart.

Fabius’ visit to Iran has raised some criticisms in Iran, especially over France’s hard line towards Iran in the course of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Fabius is also under fire for his role in the export of HIV-contaminated blood products to a number of countries, including Iran, in the 1980s, when he was in office as France’s prime minister.

The French automaker, Peugeot, was lured into leaving Iran by General Motors with promises of a share in its market which the Detroit-based company didn’t live up to. The French automaker slammed the door in the face of Iran Khodro, its second biggest market by volume, after 23 years of partnership.