TEHRAN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian official refuted on Thursday claims made by a British newspaper alleging that Tehran had engaged in "secret talks" with Washington regarding the situation in the Red Sea, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.
The IRNA cited the anonymous official stating that any communication or indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. is confined to negotiations on lifting sanctions, thereby dismissing the assertions made by the Financial Times on Wednesday.
According to the Financial Times, American and Iranian representatives conducted indirect talks in Oman in January, with the aim of halting assaults by Yemen's Houthi group on vessels sailing in the Red Sea.
The report also mentioned that the U.S. expressed concerns over Iran's nuclear program during these discussions, which were purportedly attended by White House Middle East advisor Brett McGurk, White House's deputy special envoy for Iran Abram Paley, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani.
"Omani officials shuttled between the Iranian and American representatives so they did not speak directly," the Financial Times reported.
"No message has been exchanged (between Iran and the United States) on the Red Sea developments," IRNA quoted the Iranian official as saying.
Since November last year, the Houthis have initiated attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, citing retaliation for Israeli strikes in Gaza and showing solidarity with Palestinians as their motives.
The U.S. has repeatedly accused Iran of supplying the Houthis with weaponry and intelligence for these attacks. While acknowledging political support for the Houthis, Iran maintains the group operates independently. ■
