The White House has reportedly instructed a halt to the imposition of new sanctions against Iran, a move interpreted as a significant shift in Washington's strategy amid ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, citing informed sources.

According to the newspaper, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dispatched a clear instruction last week to the State Department, the Treasury Department, and the National Security Council, demanding "to pause all new sanctions activity toward Iran."

This development is widely perceived as a suspension of US President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign, which he reinstated against Tehran shortly after assuming office and puts a stop to sanctions on secondary industries in Iran.

The pressure campaign was initially launched during Trump's previous term following his withdrawal from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal.

Some officials suggest this new approach aims to allow for a careful analysis of future restrictive measures, taking into account the progress of negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Iranian media outlets have interpreted the pause as a retreat from Washington's hardline positions.

While Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly did not directly deny the information when contacted by the newspaper, she stated that "the White House or relevant agencies will announce any new decisions with regard to sanctions within the administration."

The reported pause marks a notable change, as the US has continued to introduce several rounds of sanctions even while engaged in indirect negotiations with Iran.

Washington last imposed sanctions on Tehran on May 21, but according to the WSJ, the Treasury Department has since postponed announcing new sanctions at least twice. However, it is understood that the main restrictions on Iran's oil sales and frozen Iranian assets are likely to remain in place.

Some Trump administration officials are reportedly voicing concerns regarding the lack of clarity surrounding both the duration and the precise scope of this unexpected pause.

The move follows a letter to Tehran where the US government has outlined its terms on a potential nuclear deal. The letter was delivered to Iran by the Omani foreign minister and is currently being reviewed by Tehran.

The announcement came ahead of meetings between Iranian officials and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on June 2 in Cairo, Egypt.  Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed he held a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Isna reported.