Ismail Baghaei, spokesman of the Islamic Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that America’s proposals still align with Washington’s previous positions regarding the nuclear file, but “we have stated that our focus is on the security of the Strait of Hormuz.”

Baghaei added: “Regarding the nuclear issue, we have always consulted with China and Russia and we coordinate accordingly.”

He rejected reports by Western media about the Islamic Republic agreeing to allow the return of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to Tehran in exchange for easing sanctions.

Baghaei said: “Such a discussion has not been raised. We did not at all enter into the nuclear discussion. Our duty was to communicate our conditions. We conveyed these conditions to the intermediaries within the framework of the so-called seven-day plan, and they also did their work in passing it on to the American side.”