Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh says he has told Iranian negotiators to press the Americans on removing ban on business by US companies in Iran.

Negotiations between Iranian and American teams are limited to Tehran�s nuclear program but at the heart of the talks are US-led sanctions which prevent international companies from trade with Iran.

Zangeneh said it is �both good and necessary� to include lifting the ban on American companies in the ongoing talks with US negotiators in order to raise Iran�s bargaining leverage in trade negotiations with international companies.

�We must not allow the US government�s restrictions to continue because the more competition, the better we can get high quality services and increase our bargaining power. There�s no reason not to do that,� he said.

By Press TV