Newly imposed US sanctions on Iran do not affect Iran’s cooperation with Asian and European firms which are keen on working with the country, IRNA news agency reported Monday, citing Iranian Deputy Petroleum Minister for International and Commerce Affairs Amir Hossein Zamaninia.

International companies are willing to work with Iran, but due to different political factions, reaching a final agreement takes time, Zamaninia said.

Foreign oil companies held negotiations on cooperating with Iran in oil industry after sanctions were lifted and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed in July 2015.

The United States imposed new sanctions on Iran on Friday under the pretext of Tehran’s recent missile test on January 29.

Source: IRNA