Iran will not enter negotiations with the United States until Washington backs down from its positions, the semi-official Fars news agency reported Saturday, rejecting earlier media reports that Iran had sought such negotiations.

Citing a source close to the Iranian negotiating team, Fars said the start of negotiations would depend on US implementation of the recently signed peace memorandum of understanding, including ending the war and securing an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, as well as resolving issues related to maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, among other issues.