Iran, US to hold talks in Rome in bid to reach nuclear deal

Iran and the United States are set to engage in a fresh round of nuclear discussions in Rome on Saturday to address their long-standing disagreement regarding Tehran’s nuclear objectives, amidst President Donald Trump’s warning of potential military action should diplomatic efforts fall short.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will engage in indirect negotiations via an Omani representative who will convey messages between the parties, Iranian officials stated, one week following a first round of indirect discussions in Muscat that both parties regarded as productive.

Araqchi and Witkoff had a short exchange at the conclusion of the initial round, but representatives from both nations have not engaged in direct talks since 2015 during the administration of former U.S. President Barack Obama.

Araqchi has reached Rome, as stated in a post on his Telegram account. He remarked in Moscow on Friday that Iran thinks a deal on its nuclear program with the U.S. can be achieved if Washington maintains a realistic approach.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson in a post on X said Tehran had “always demonstrated, with good faith and a sense of responsibility, its commitment to diplomacy as a civilised way to resolve issues”. “We are aware that it is not a smooth path but we take every step with open eyes, relying also on past experiences,” Esmaeil Baghaei said in the post.

For his part, Trump told reporters on Friday: “I’m for stopping Iran, very simply, from having a nuclear weapon. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. I want Iran to be great and prosperous and terrific.”