Italy and Iran signed billions of dollars of business deals on Monday at the start of a visit to Europe by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani aimed at rebuilding his nation’s ties with the West after years of economic sanctions. Heading a 120-strong delegation of business leaders and ministers, Rouhani will spend two days in Rome before flying to France on Wednesday, looking to polish Tehran’s diplomatic credentials at a time of turmoil in the Middle East. An Italian government source said the Iranians would sign up to 17 billion euros ($18.4 billion) worth of deals in sectors from energy to infrastructure and from steel to shipbuilding. “This is just the beginning of a journey. There are sectors where we must work closer together,” Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said, standing alongside Rouhani. “I am sure this visit will be a fundamental part of our ability to overcome together the […]