US denies reports of implementation of Iranian nuke deal by late January

The United States has dismissed a report that an agreement had been reached between Iran and world powers to begin implementing the Tehran nuclear programme by late January 2014.

State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said that they have made progress in discussions and the teams have taken a few outstanding points back to their countries, but they are still to reach a decision, CNN reports.

A state-run Iranian media quoted a senior Iranian negotiator Hamid Baeidinejad as saying that a deal had been reached in negotiations between Tehran and the six world powers to begin implementing the agreement in late January,

Iran reached an interim deal with the world powers, collectively known as the P5+1, in November to limit its nuclear activities in return for a relaxation of sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.