Iranian and U.S. delegations concluded a fifth round of negotiations in Rome on Friday, showing signs of limited progress in addressing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Despite public hardline stances, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed optimism, noting that Oman had presented several proposals. He described the talks as “professional” and emphasized that although discussions remained tough, they set a reasonable path forward.
A senior U.S. official reported that the talks, which lasted over two hours, were direct and facilitated by Omani mediators. Both parties acknowledged further progress but recognized that significant work lay ahead. The stakes are high, with President Trump intent on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, while Iran seeks relief from crippling economic sanctions that target its oil industry.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi noted the discussions ended with some progress but not a conclusive agreement. Key challenges remain, including Iran’s refusal to ship its entire stockpile of highly enriched uranium abroad and engage in missile program discussions. Diplomats believe achieving a firm deal before summer is unlikely due to the complexities involved.
Iran is open to accepting limits on enrichment but demands robust guarantees that the U.S. would adhere to any future accord. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated they aim for a deal allowing Iran a civilian nuclear program without uranium enrichment, acknowledging the difficulty of such negotiations.
The failure of talks poses a high risk, particularly for Israel, which views Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat. Amid concerns of potential military strikes by Israel, Araghchi warned that Washington would bear responsibility if such actions occurred against Iranian nuclear sites.
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