Jewish groups have expressed disquiet at the European Parliament's approval last week of a strategy document that sets out a path for future diplomacy towards Iran.

The paper puts forward a series of principles for the normalisation of EU relations with Tehran following last year's nuclear deal and contains only one criticism - in relation to Iran's use of the death penalty. It does not mention Iran's sponsorship of terrorism, support for Holocaust denial, and threats to destroy Israel.

Compiled by Richard Howitt, a member of the EU's legislative arm for Britain's Labour Party, the report on "EU strategy towards Iran after the nuclear agreement" was passed by the Committee on Foreign Affairs in Brussels.

Moshe Kantor, President of the European Jewish Congress, said: "Iran is playing an extremely negative role in the region and beyond, and it seems a little absurd to be rewarding the Iranian regime at this time."

"Europe has a lot of bargaining chips to ensure a less recalcitrant Iran and it is giving them away up-front.

"This document barely criticises one of the worst abusers of human rights and terrorist supporting regimes anywhere in the world," said Mr Kantor.

Daniel Schwammenthal, director of the American Jewish Committee's EU Office, the AJC Transatlantic Institute, issued a statement complaining that the report in its current form "is a serious blow to the standing of the European Parliament as a defender of human rights, justice and freedom".