Iran and the United States will resume nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday to try to end their long-standing confrontation over Tehran’s nuclear program. The negotiations, conducted under the threat of President Donald Trump’s military action if diplomacy does not work, follow a week ago by a positive round of indirect talks in Muscat.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will be negotiating indirectly, with an Omani official serving as a go-between. This is the second round of indirect talks, with each side guardedly optimistic about the chances of a deal. Even in the indirect format, Araqchi and Witkoff exchanged a few words at the end of the Muscat talks but have not engaged in face-to-face talks since 2015 under then-President Barack Obama.
Araqchi, before the Rome negotiations, reiterated Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, urging a balanced nuclear agreement that honors the rights of Iran and removes sanctions while resolving concerns regarding its nuclear program. Tehran cautioned, however, that hopes for a quick settlement must be diluted, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei making restrained optimistic comments.
In the background, President Trump has reaffirmed his hardline position against Iran getting a nuclear weapon, expressing his wish for a successful Iran but keeping a hardline stance on its nuclear program. In the meantime, Israel has not excluded the use of force against Iran’s nuclear facilities, and there are concerns about escalation.
With tensions continuing, both remain firm in their stance, with Iran calling for sanctions relief for nuclear curbs, and the US for halting Iran’s uranium enrichment drive.
