WASHINGTON -- The United States says Iran is not open for business yet.
State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke made the comments in reaction to a widely cited report by an Iranian news agency claiming a U.S. oil delegation is due to visit Tehran this week to review investment opportunities.
Speaking on May 5, Rathke said it is difficult to verify the report since “not a single individual or company is identified" in it.
He said the United States would take action in the case of any sanctionable activity.
The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran that prevent American companies from trading with Iran and investing in the oil sector.
The report by Mehr news agency quoted Iran’s Deputy Oil Minister Abbas Sheri-Moghadam as confirming the visit and predicting future cooperation if sanctions are lifted.
Under a nuclear framework agreement reached last month between Iran, the United States, and other major powers, sanctions would be lifted in exchange for verifiable guarantees that Tehran is not trying to secretly develop nuclear weapons.
The deadline for a final nuclear deal is June 30.