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Chamber’s Legal Committee Meets the Ambassador of Spain, Highlighting Arbitration’s Role in Future Iran–Spain Trade

Members of the Legal and Commercial Dispute Resolution Committee of the Iran–Spain Joint Chamber of Commerce met Antonio Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain in Tehran. The meeting covered international political developments, the future of economic relations between the two countries and the need to strengthen legal mechanisms that support trade cooperation.

Attended by the Chamber’s President and a group of lawyers and international commercial arbitration specialists, the meeting was an opportunity to present the Chamber’s specialised work and the legal committee’s plans to expand cooperation with leading Spanish arbitration institutions and develop Iran–Spain commercial arbitration.

International developments and hopes for peace

The opening part of the meeting focused on international developments, particularly the current situation in the United States, the impact of the war with Iran on its political and electoral climate, and the possible consequences for international relations. The positions of Spain’s Prime Minister on regional developments and the war were also discussed, along with the importance of diplomacy, de-escalation and a return to dialogue.

Both sides expressed hope for peace, reduced international tensions and more stable conditions for economic and trade relations. Beyond its human and diplomatic consequences, the international political and security climate also shapes business decisions, the continuity of contracts and the prospects for new cooperation between companies in both countries.

Arbitration as a foundation of trust in trade

Dr. Mohammad Taheri, President of the Iran–Spain Joint Chamber of Commerce and head of the Legal and Commercial Dispute Resolution Committee, outlined the Chamber’s structure, its specialised committees and its plans to strengthen ties between businesses in the two countries.

He stressed that developing trade cooperation is not limited to identifying opportunities and connecting companies; it also requires support services in legal, technical and advisory fields. Expressing hope for growing trade between Iran and Spain, Dr. Taheri described commercial arbitration as a key element of business confidence: as contracts and joint projects increase, companies will need reliable, specialised mechanisms for resolving disputes more than ever.

From this perspective, the Chamber’s legal committee can play an effective role not only in managing potential disputes, but also in raising companies’ legal awareness, preventing contractual disputes and increasing confidence in cross-border cooperation.

The Spanish Ambassador’s view

Responding positively to the activities presented, the Ambassador of Spain stressed the growing importance of arbitration in the current context and described attention to this field as highly significant today. In this part of the discussion, arbitration was seen not only as a way to resolve disputes once they arise, but also as a mechanism to strengthen contractual trust and reduce uncertainty in economic relations.

The committee’s capacity and free legal advice for members

Dr. Mohammad Reza Sobhani, Secretary of the committee, who holds a PhD in international law and serves as an arbitrator and mediator in international commercial disputes, described the committee’s work to date and its ongoing plans. He emphasised the importance of building professional and institutional ties with leading international arbitration bodies in Spain and reported on ongoing discussions with some of these institutions to explore cooperation and exchange expertise.

According to Dr. Sobhani, the committee brings together lawyers, attorneys and specialists in various fields of law and arbitration, combining diverse and complementary expertise to address the legal needs of businesses, especially in trade and international cooperation.

He announced that committee members are ready to provide initial consultations and specialised legal guidance free of charge to members of the Iran–Spain Joint Chamber of Commerce. The service is not limited to members: individuals and companies referred by the Chamber can also benefit. The aim is to make reliable legal advice more accessible, raise awareness of contractual requirements and risks, prevent disputes and support better-informed business decisions.

A presentation in Spanish and arbitration insights

Bita Ansari, attorney at law with a master’s degree in private law and a member of the committee, gave a specialised presentation in Spanish to the Ambassador, introducing the committee’s legal capabilities and mission directly. Beyond easing professional communication during the meeting, the presentation reflected the committee’s commitment to engaging with Spanish-speaking institutions and counterparts.

Mehdi Gholami, attorney at law with a master’s degree in private law and a member of the committee, also offered expert remarks on arbitration, a mechanism of particular importance in international economic relations given the cross-border nature of contracts and differences between national legal systems. These discussions reflect the committee’s aim of increasing awareness of specialised dispute resolution methods and the importance of including appropriate mechanisms in international contracts.

Written report and next steps

A comprehensive, signed written report on arbitration and related activities was presented to the Ambassador, so that the discussions and initiatives could be reviewed as a formal document in addition to the oral explanations given at the meeting. The report is part of the committee’s effort to document its work and present its programmes coherently to Spanish counterparts.

The meeting took place in a positive atmosphere with constructive discussions. The Ambassador’s attention to the importance of arbitration, the presentation of the committee’s specialised capacities and plans to build professional ties with Spanish arbitration institutions were among its main themes. At a time when international political and economic developments weigh on trade relations, sustained specialised contact between legal and business institutions can keep professional dialogue alive and prepare the ground for broader cooperation in the future.

Continuing specialised talks with leading arbitration institutions in Spain will be among the legal committee’s next steps, opening the way for a closer look at areas of cooperation and shared paths in international commercial arbitration.

Secretariat of the Iran–Spain Joint Chamber of Commerce