BERLIN (AP) — German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will travel to Iran in early October, the first such visit in more than a decade.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said Monday that the recent conclusion of the nuclear deal with Iran was a "good occasion" to restore Germany's traditionally close ties with the country.

For decades Germany was Iran's biggest trading partner and Berlin is keen to ensure its companies can capitalize on the need for investment when sanctions against Tehran are lifted.

Schaefer said details of the visit haven't been worked out yet.