Current tensions between Iran and the United States over its sanctions against the Islamic Republic are impacting its ties with Italy, the country's ambassador, Hamid Bayat, said on Friday.
"It cannot be denied that Iran-Italy relations are feeling the effect of tensions between Tehran and Washington," Bayat told reporters and Italian analysts during an encounter in Rome.
"But the two countries have the tools to overcome these problems," Bayat said.
There is "every chance" that Italy can return to being Iran's primary trading partner among European Union countries with annual bilateral trade topping more than five billion euros as it did before 2018, he said.
"Iran's determination to boost its relations with Italy is really strong," said Bayat.
Tension has spiked between Iran and America since last year, when US president Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers and reimposed sanctions that had been lifted under the pact in return for Tehran curbing its sensitive nuclear work.
The sanctions have especially targeted Iran's crude oil exports - the country's main source of foreign revenue.
