It would be beneficial to engage in talks with American groups campaigning against sanctions on Iran, says a senior lawmaker, who believes that the door to diplomacy with the United States should stay open.
"Talks should be held with those politicians, government officials or other groups in the United States who can help prevent the creation of a climate of sanctions against Iran," Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, also told IRNA in a recent interview.
The lawmaker said there are movements inside the US, which are opposed to US President Donald Trump's sanctions policy on Iran and maintain that his foreign policy decisions have set Washington on a path toward isolation.
"Therefore, under the current circumstances, diplomatic channels with the United States should not be closed because the US is not [limited to] Trump," he h added.
>De-Escalation of Tensions
Falahatpishe advised Iranian officials to refrain from exacerbating tensions with the US in different areas, saying that it seems the Americans are not willing to provoke further confrontation.
"Evidence shows that a new diplomatic atmosphere for détente with America has been created and there is an opportunity for Iran to pursue the diplomacy of negotiation and lobbying activities with anti-Trump groups in the United States," he said.
The parliamentarian said the recent waiver granted for a gas field shared by Iran shows that the campaign in favor of less comprehensive sanctions against the Islamic Republic is gaining momentum.
According to Reuters, the US has granted BP and Serica Energy a new license to run a North Sea gas field partly owned by Iran in a rare exemption by Trump's administration, as it prepares to renew sanctions on Tehran next month.
The US administration is also actively considering waivers on sanctions for countries that are reducing their imports of Iranian oil, which represents an easing of its "zero tolerance" position.
>Diplomatic Efforts
Falahatpisheh noted that Iran's measured response to the US unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in May strengthened Iran's hand and contributed to its diplomatic efforts during the United Nations General Assembly last month.
The fact that 12 reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, have verified Tehran's compliance with the nuclear accord and the recent ruling by the UN's International Court of Justice show that Iran is on the right diplomatic path, he said.
The World Court recently reprimanded the US over its reimposition of sanctions on Iran, ordering Washington to end restrictive measures linked to humanitarian aid, food, medicine and civil aviation.
>Economic Openings
In separate remarks published by ISNA on Friday, Falahatpisheh said the implementation of standards set by the Financial Action Task Force—which underpins governments combating money laundering and terrorist financing—will help Iran economically.
Earlier this month, lawmakers passed the last of four bills put forward by the government to meet demands outlined by the 37-nation group. However, all draft laws must be approved by the Guardians Council, a clerical vetting body.
"We believe that the bill will pave the way for diplomats to work with countries that do not want to comply with US sanctions so that they can continue their cooperation with us," the senior lawmaker said.
"Acceptance of global norms will help create economic openings for Iran and thwart hostile attempts by the enemies."
Falahatpisheh concluded that experience has shown that cooperation with international bodies such as the UN Security Council, the IAEA and the World Court produces positive results.
