The story: Iran has expressed an openness to direct talks with the US to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Jan. 24 stated that the US has “repeatedly” sent messages, elaborating that “If we reach a point in the negotiations whereby a good agreement requires dialogue with the US, we will not ignore it.” Iran has categorically rejected any direct nuclear talks with Washington since Donald Trump left the accord in May 2018.

This comes as Tehran has dismissed reports alleging that Russia has proposed an interim agreement to salvage the nuclear deal, describing them as “false and fake.” Meanwhile, a conservative Iranian outlet has claimed that western parties to the nuclear accord have “accepted” a proposal by Iran on the verification of the lifting of US sanctions—which is key to restoring the deal.

The coverage: US-based outlet NBC News on Jan. 22 reported that Russia had “discussed a possible interim agreement with Iran” as efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) continue in Vienna...