In the global race to tap Iran's vast energy resources, U.S. companies have already gotten off to a slow start. Iranian officials estimate the country needs $230 billion of investment in the petroleum sector alone, to upgrade its aging energy infrastructure and expand oil and gas production.

However, major U.S. firms said they have not broached discussions with Iran, in order not to fall foul of their government. In contrast, several European oil companies were quick to express their interest in Iran both before and after the deal was announced.

A spokeswoman for oil giant Shell said on Tuesday the company was "interested in exploring the role Shell can play in developing Iran's energy potential," within the boundaries of the law.

A spokeswoman for Norwegian oil services firm Aker Solutions said: "We've done business in Iran before and will be interested in looking at new possibilities when sanctions are lifted."

Italian oil and gas group Eni also said on Tuesday it would consider investing in Iran again if sanctions are lifted and Iran improves its contract terms.

U.S. oil giants Chevron Corp and ConocoPhillips both stressed that they act in full compliance with U.S. law, and ConocoPhillips stated it is not engaged in business discussions with Iran. Exxon, the world's largest publicly traded oil company, declined to comment.

Other U.S. firms were similarly quiet. General Motors Co. declined to comment on Tuesday on "potential future scenarios" and said it is committed to complying with U.S. sanctions. Starbucks, the world's biggest coffee chain, said on Tuesday it had no plans to enter Iran, while Coca-Cola said it was too early to comment.

Corporate lawyers and trade groups said U.S. companies may start to push legislators to loosen restrictions now that the deal is signed, and as they start to see the tangible impact of losing out.

"What's particularly difficult for American companies is if they are the only ones that are prohibited whereas the rest of the world will be trading," said Vanessa Sciarra, vice president of the Emergency Committee for American Trade.

"Every time you're at a disadvantage relative to your foreign counterparts, you lose market share."

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