MNA � Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mousavi said Sat. that the aim of Zarif�s meetings with US Senators is to neutralize the impact of pressure groups such as �B-team� on America�s public opinion and political circles.

In a statement on Saturday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi explained about the reason behind Mohammad Javad Zarif�s recent meeting with a US senator, saying �for over two decades, Iran has been holding talks and exchanging views with non-governmental, political elites of the United States, including members of the Congress, to define and clarify the policies of the Islamic Republic.�

�These people are neither officials nor are allowed to hold negotiations, and Iranian officials will never hold negotiations with them,� he explained.

The aim of such meetings, Mousavi said, is to neutralize the �impact of pressure groups such as the �B-team� on the American public opinion and political circles. This is why [the meetings] draw such harsh reactions and the wrath of hard-liners.�

�B-Team� comprises US National Security Adviser John Bolton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.