The two top Iranian officials avoided their meetings with Gabriel after his harsh criticism of Tehran's stances against Israel. Gabriel told Der Spiegel before his recent visit to Tehran that Germany could not move ahead with full normalization of ties until the Iranian government accepted to recognize Israel.
Also, in July 2015, Gabriel had warned at the start of a three-day visit to Tehran that Berlin could not accept Iran's questioning of Israel's right to exist, and that such attitudes could harm business relations between the two countries.
He also said Germany would be willing to mediate between the two enemies.
After his recent remarks, Iran's Judiciary Chief Sadeq Amoli Larijani said the foreign ministry should have placed a ban on his visit to Tehran.
"The German economy minister has made incorrect and illogical comments and said that if Iran wants to open way for trade interactions, it should recognize Israel. Apparently, he is asleep and doesn't know that Iran has tolerated abundant pressures for the sake of its beliefs for over 30 years to resist against such demands," Amoli Larijani said, addressing the high-ranking judiciary officials in Tehran on Monday.
Stressing that Iranian officials don't allow such people to interfere in the country's internal affairs, he said, "Were I in the place of the government and the foreign minister, I would not allow this minister (Gabriel) to visit Iran."
But Iranian Government Spokesman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht said earlier today that Gabriel had dismissed media reports quoting him as saying that improvement of ties with Iran would depend on its recognition of Israel.
"When Gabriel came to Iran (Sunday), I asked him why he has said such a thing while he is one of the pioneering officials who came to Iran after the nuclear deal? He clearly said that they (the media) had distorted his comments. He said that he has come to Iran now without any precondition and that they respect Iran's views," Nobakht said in a press conference in Tehran on Tuesday.
Noting that Gabriel admitted Israel's violation of human rights and its crimes, Nobakht said the German official has even voiced regret that he has come under criticism by the Zionists for pioneering expansion of relations with Iran.
The Iranian government spokesman once again reiterated that Tehran would never recognize Israel, and added, "No country can set a precondition for us. We live with our beliefs."
Gabriel arrived in Tehran on Sunday.
Gabriel was among the first Western leaders to lead a delegation to Tehran following the removal of key nuclear-related sanctions. Germany seeks to reclaim its former position as one of Iran's major trading partners.
Comment: Gabriel also made claims to talk to the US about the sanctions: Good luck with that: Germany informs Iran it will push US to 'dismantle sanctions'