Tasnim � Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Seyed Abbas Araqchi plans to start a three-leg tour of regional Arab courtiers on Sunday.

Araqchi is slated to pay official visits to Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar and hold talks with senior officials of the three Persian Gulf Arab countries on a host of issues, including ways to boost bilateral ties.

In his meetings, the Iranian official will also discuss the latest regional and international developments.

Iranian diplomats have stepped up diplomatic contacts with Asian governments and visits to neighboring and friendly countries in recent weeks.

The visits come against the backdrop of increased tensions between Iran and the US with Washington imposing new sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The US has ratcheted up pressure on Iran since last year after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Since then, the administration of US President Donald Trump is trying to reduce Iran�s oil exports to �zero,� and has sent an aircraft carrier strike group, a bomber squad, an amphibious assault ship, and a Patriot missile battery to the Middle East to try to stack up pressure on Tehran.

Iranian officials, however, have dismissed such moves as psychological warfare, saying the country has its own ways of circumventing the American bans and selling crude oil.