Iran has said it held a “brief discussion” with the US on its nuclear programme during talks in Switzerland, but insisted negotiations on the issue had not begun, according to AFP.

“One of the points raised by the American delegation was the presentation of its positions regarding the nuclear issue,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has said.

“A very brief discussion took place regarding the nuclear issue, but there was no discussion of details, and it cannot be said that negotiations on the nuclear issue have begun,” he added.