The first interactions between Portugal and Iran date back to the 16th century, during the period of the Safavid dynasty, when a Portuguese armada led by Afonso de Albuquerque stormed and captured Ormuz in 1507.

From that moment on, the two countries initiated a period of intense interaction, with multiple embassies and envoys sent by the two nations.

On 15 October 1956, the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Portugal in Ankara, Luís Norton de Matos, presented his credentials as Non-resident Ambassador in Tehran, becoming the first diplomatic representative of Portugal in Iran in the modern era.

Several bilateral agreements have been signed by the two countries, including:[1][3] Furthermore, numerous Memorandums of Understanding were signed between different Ministries of the two countries, regarding cooperation in the fields of Education, Culture, Science, Technology, Sports, Tourism, Historical and Patrimonial Documentation, Agriculture and Political Consultations.

Over the last decades, several high level visits took place, including the following:[1] The two countries maintain a modest, but consistent economic and commercial relationship.