Iran denies temporary nuclear deal in nuclear talks with US

ANKARA

Iran denied on Monday discussing any interim agreement during its indirect nuclear negotiations with the US.

"If the US goal is to maintain Iran's nuclear program as peaceful, this can be achieved. We have never sought military nuclear capabilities," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a news briefing in Tehran.

He, however, warned that "if the aim is to deprive Iran of its basic rights like low-level uranium enrichment, we don't believe such negotiations would succeed."

The spokesperson also denied international media reports suggesting that Tehran might suspend enrichment for three years to facilitate a deal with Washington.

“No, there is absolutely nothing like this on the table," he stressed.

Oman is mediating between Tehran and Washington to resolve key disputes over Iran's nuclear program. Five rounds of negotiations have been held so far since last month, with three being held in Muscat.

President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers in 2018, and has now sought a “better" deal. He says the US will not allow Iran to have a nuclear bomb.