France-based energy giant Total has started work on the South Pars Gas Field in Iran, a senior government official was quoted as saying in an Iran Daily report.

"Total has begun its work to develop Iran's South Pars Phase 11," Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said.

New US sanctions against Iran are unlikely to affect the country's oil and gas contracts with foreign states, the report quoted Zanganeh, citing Shana.

Total has opened an office in Washington in a bid to strengthen relations with the US administration as the French oil and gas company prepares to invest billions in Iran.

In July, Total became the first Western energy firm to sign a deal with Iran since the easing of international sanctions in 2015, agreeing to develop Phase 11 of the South Pars offshore gas field with a total investment of $5 billion.