US President Donald Trump said Washington is currently conducting "very friendly" negotiations with Tehran.
Earlier, Western media, citing anonymous regional officials, reported that intermediaries had made some progress in bringing the US and Iran back to the negotiating table.
"We are having very friendly negotiations (with Iran)," Trump said at an event in the US state of Michigan.
However, the US leader also added that the US Navy is effectively enforcing a maritime blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. According to President Trump, no ships are currently passing through this sea route. The US leader also asserted that Iran is asking Washington to lift the maritime blockade.
Earlier, media reported that Trump had postponed plans to significantly escalate the military campaign against Iran due to concerns that rising tensions could severely deplete the number of Patriot interceptor missiles and other air defense munitions of the US in the Middle East, which have already been significantly reduced.
