In a statement on Sunday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi categorically rejected the report that has quoted a neighboring country's diplomat as announcing the start of talks between Iran and the US.

"There is no direct or indirect negotiations between Iran and the US," the spokesperson underlined.

His comments came after Asharq al-Awsat Arab-language newspaper, based in London, said in a story on Saturday that Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah has announced the launch of direct talks between Tehran and Washington.

Last week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani roundly dismissed the idea of direct negotiations with the US under the current circumstances, stressing the need for resistance against an ongoing economic war waged by Washington.

ILKHA