The US State Department confirmed on Tuesday that it may invite officials from Iran to attend celebrations to mark America's Independence Day on or around July 4.
"We review these types of invitations every year, and a decision was made this year to invite officials from Iran," State Department Spokesman Robert Wood told a news briefing.
"This is very much in line with our policy of trying to engage the Iranian Government," Wood said. "Clearly, our policy here is to reach out and engage Iran. And so this just one way of doing that."
However, the Spokesman noted that "We have not issued any instructions with regard to substantive discussions with Iranian officials at this point. I mean, certainly, at a July 4 type of event, you'll have a lot of meeting and greeting of various officials. But in terms of the substantive policy, I don't believe at this point there has been a change."
The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that the State Department sent message late last week to all US embassies and consulates, saying that US diplomats could ask their Iranian counterparts to attend July 4 celebrations.
It was said to be a new US overture to Iran, a country that Washington has shunned since 1980.
The United States, which severed its ties with Iran in 1980, has been at odds with Tehran on, among others, its alleged support for militant groups and disputed nuclear activities.
Iran denies the US charges, and insisted that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.