Any U.S.-Iran communication over detained U.S. citizens has been via Swiss - website

Any communication between Tehran and Washington about U.S. citizens detained in Iran has been conducted via the Swiss embassy which handles U.S. interests rather than through any direct contact, an Iranian news website reported on Sunday. Switzerland represents U.S. interests in Iran because Washington and Tehran have no diplomatic ties. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Edmund Blair)

Any communication between Tehran and Washington about U.S. citizens detained in Iran has been conducted via the Swiss embassy which handles U.S. interests rather than through any direct contact, an Iranian news website reported on Sunday. The report followed remarks on Sunday by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who said the United States had begun to communicate with Iran over Tehran's detention of U.S. citizens.

"Iran's government has not discussed American prisoners with Washington. All messages have been exchanged through the Swiss embassy in Tehran," an unnamed source told the website, which is affiliated to Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Switzerland represents U.S. interests in Iran because Washington and Tehran have no diplomatic ties.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Edmund Blair)