Washington, Tehran Engage in Talks for Interim Nuclear Agreement

The United States and Iran are not in direct discussions about an interim nuclear deal, a U.S. official said on Monday, but Washington has informed Tehran of steps that could spark a crisis and those that could create a better atmosphere between the two sides.

"There are no talks about an interim agreement," said the US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official's comment confirms a denial issued by the United States last week, describing a report that the two countries were close to concluding an interim agreement as "false and misleading".

The official did not deny media reports of recent US-Iranian contacts but made it clear that speculation that they were focused on an interim nuclear deal was inaccurate.

"We explained to them the escalator steps they need to avoid so that a crisis does not occur and what de-escalation steps they can take to create a more positive context," he added.