US‑Iran nuclear talks in Rome could reshape future dialogue
On Saturday, the second round of negotiations between the US and Iran will take place in Rome. The Americans are pushing for direct talks, which could impact the future of Iran's nuclear program.
What do you need to know?
- Where will the talks take place? The second round of negotiations between the US and Iran is scheduled for Saturday in Rome. This continues the discussions that were held in Oman.
- What are the expectations of the US? According to the Axios portal, the American side is advocating for direct talks with Iran, which could signify a change in the current negotiation format.
- What is the context of the talks? The talks focus on the future of Iran's nuclear program, which has been a controversial issue internationally.
Meeting in Oman: Each side in a different room
According to sources from the Axios portal, the administration of US President Donald Trump is pleased with the meeting in Oman, which was the first high-level contact between the two sides in eight years. The proposal for the next round of talks to be held in Rome came from Washington, Axios reported.
The meeting in Oman, which lasted over 2 hours and 30 minutes, took place in an indirect format. Each side was in a separate room, with messages conveyed by Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi.
In Rome, they are set to meet in one room
Later, US government special envoy Steve Witkoff spoke directly with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi for 45 minutes, longer than publicly disclosed, one source said, describing these talks as "substantive, serious, and excellent."
Iran's Foreign Ministry announced that the next round of talks will take place in an indirect format, but according to Axios sources, in Rome, both delegations may be in one room. They will also be accompanied by Omani mediators in the Italian capital.
What are the international reactions?
After the meeting in Oman ended, no details regarding the content of the talks, which were to address the future of Iran's nuclear program, were disclosed to the public. During his first term, Trump led to the collapse of the agreement between Iran and world powers, which limited its nuclear program in exchange for easing sanctions.
Since then, Iran has exceeded the limits imposed by the agreement regarding uranium enrichment. Israel and some Western countries accuse Iran of continuing to develop its own nuclear weapons. The authorities in Tehran insist that their nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes, and possessing nuclear weapons goes against the principles of Islam.
