TEHRAN- Iran-U.S. talks in Geneva on Thursday are being carried out with “great seriousness” by negotiating teams on both sides, Iran’s Foreign Ministry says.

According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei, the negotiations have been “conducted in a very intense and serious manner.”

“What I can tell you is that, in both the nuclear field and the issue of sanctions relief, very important and practical proposals and initiatives were presented, and both delegations pursued the discussions with great seriousness,” national TV quoted him saying.

Earlier, CNN reported the talks had been paused for “delegation consultations.”

They will resume around 5.30 p.m. or 6 p.m. local time (11.30 p.m. or 12 p.m. ET), Baqaei said.