Senior Iranian officials on Thursday dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, emphasizing that any agreement must fully lift sanctions and allow the country’s nuclear program to continue.

Following five rounds of intensive negotiations, American and Iranian officials are close to signing a nuclear agreement, according to a new report.

Iran might allow the U.N. nuclear watchdog to send U.S. inspectors to visit Iranian nuclear sites if Tehran's nuclear talks with Washington succeed, Iran's nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said on Wednesday.