TEHRAN, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran will not enter negotiations with the United States until Washington backs down from its positions, semi-official Fars news agency reported Saturday, rejecting earlier media reports that Iran had sought such negotiations.

A massive flag of Iran is seen unfurled on the facade of a building as crowds of mourners attend a funeral procession for Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei and members of his family, before he is buried at the Shrine of Imam Reza, Iran's most revered place of worship, in Mashhad on July 9, 2026. (File photo: AFP)

Citing a source close to the Iranian negotiating team, Fars said the start of negotiations would depend on U.S. implementation of the recently signed peace memorandum of understanding, including ending the war and securing an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, as well as resolving issues related to maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, among other issues.