The United States and Iran signalled renewed diplomatic engagement this week despite conflicting accounts over whether direct talks will take place in Qatar, reports AP.
US President Donald Trump said Iran had requested a meeting with American officials and that talks were expected in Doha on Tuesday.
Iran denied the claim. Senior negotiator Kazem Gharibabadi said no talks with the United States had been confirmed, while Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran's delegation would travel to Qatar only to discuss the terms of an interim agreement with Qatari mediators.
"There are no negotiation meetings with the US side at any level scheduled in the coming days," Baghaei said.
Military tensions appeared to ease on Monday after several days of exchanges between the two countries.
Earlier this month, Washington and Tehran reached an interim agreement under which Iran would dilute its enriched uranium stockpile and the United States would ease oil-related sanctions. The deal also called for unrestricted commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and provided 60 days for negotiations on a broader agreement.
A US official said both sides appeared to be stepping back from further military action and expected commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to resume without disruption.
The official also said Qatar is expected to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets for humanitarian purchases, a move also referenced by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Meanwhile, Oman said it is discussing service-related charges for commercial vessels using the Strait of Hormuz, although Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said transit fees would violate international rules.
Separately, France and Iran exchanged criticism after French President Emmanuel Macron said France was helping clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said only Iran has the authority to conduct demining operations under the interim agreement.
In Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun said the government remains committed to deploying its army along the southern border under a framework agreement with Israel, despite opposition from the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
