White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told Iran International on Thursday that the U.S. is not presently engaged in any nuclear talks with the Islamic Republic.
"I won't speak or can't speak to channels of communication with Iran one way or the other, but there are no active negotiations going on to restore the nuclear deal," Kirby told a representative of the London-based think tank during a break at this week's NATO conference.
The inquiry was made in response to comments made earlier in the day by the regime’s acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, who claimed that Tehran and Washington are involved in dialogue through intermediaries in Oman.
Kani reportedly told a state news broadcaster that the confidential discussions are taking place because the Biden administration wants to "achieve significant progress before the incoming government takes office,” referring to the inauguration of President-Elect Masoud Pezeshkian.
On Monday, Kirby announced that the election of Pezeshkian would not have any effect on U.S. policy towards Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Related Story: Nukes By Autumn? Islamic Republic to Triple Nuclear Enrichment Capacity: Report
