The United States and Iran on Thursday both denied a report that they were nearing an interim deal under which Tehran would curb its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.
"This report is false and misleading," said a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, referring to an article on the London-based Middle East Eye website. "Any reports of an interim deal are false."
Iran's mission to the United Nations also cast doubt on the report, saying: "Our comment is the same as the White House comment."
U.S. and European officials have been searching for ways to curb Tehran's nuclear program since the breakdown of indirect U.S.-Iranian talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.
That accord, aimed at keeping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, required Tehran to accept restrictions on its nuclear program and more extensive U.N. inspections in exchange for an end to U.N., U.S. and EU sanctions.
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