U.S. and Iran Agree to Continue Nuclear Talks After “Constructive” Rome Meeting
ROME – The United States and Iran concluded a second round of high-level nuclear negotiations in Rome on Saturday, agreeing to hold further technical and political discussions in the coming days. The talks, mediated by Oman, lasted approximately four hours and were described by Iranian state media as “constructive.”
Key Developments:
- Next Round Scheduled: Both sides will resume technical-level talks in the coming days, followed by another high-level meeting on April 26 in Muscat, Oman—the same location as the first round.
- Oman’s Mediation: Oman’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff agreed to continue negotiations toward a “fair, enduring, and binding” deal.
- Core Disputes: The U.S. and Western allies accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists its program is peaceful and civilian.
Background & Stakes:
- These talks mark the highest-level engagement since 2018, when former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA).
- A potential agreement would aim to:
- Roll back Iran’s nuclear advancements (including uranium enrichment).
- Lift U.S. sanctions crippling Iran’s economy.
- Ensure Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons while retaining peaceful energy capabilities.
What’s Next?
- Technical teams will meet this week to address complex details, such as verification mechanisms and sanctions relief.
- The April 26 Muscat meeting will determine whether both sides can bridge remaining gaps.
While no breakthrough was announced, the agreement to keep talking signals cautious optimism. However, deep mistrust and technical hurdles remain, making the path to a deal fragile but not impossible. The coming weeks will prove decisive.
