In this July 14, 2015 photo, a staff removes the Iranian flag from the stage after a group picture with foreign ministers and representatives of Unites States, Iran, China, Russia, Britain, Germany, France and the European Union during the Iran nuclear talks at the Vienna International Center in Vienna. (PHOTO / POOL / AFP)

TEHRAN – Iran has denied a media claim of Tehran "nearing an interim nuclear deal" with the United States, saying such a deal neither exists nor is on the agenda, according to semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Tasnim reported on Friday that Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations on Thursday responded in a statement to a report by the London-based online news outlet Middle East Eye that claimed Tehran and Washington were close to achieving an interim deal, under which Tehran would curb its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.

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"An interim deal for replacing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) neither exists nor is on the agenda," said the Iranian mission.

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council also denied the report, saying it is "false and misleading”.

Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. 

The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

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The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna, Austria. No breakthrough has been achieved after the latest round of talks in August 2022.