The United States and Iran concluded a second round of high-stakes nuclear negotiations in Rome on Saturday, with both sides agreeing to continue discussions in Oman in the coming days. The talks, mediated by Omani officials, aimed to ease escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and avert potential military conflict.
President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met at the Omani Embassy in Rome, where they discussed terms for a possible agreement that would restrict Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Following the meeting, Araghchi described the atmosphere as “constructive” but cautioned against excessive optimism, stating that while progress was being made, significant differences remained.
Oman’s Foreign Ministry released a statement confirming that both sides had agreed to pursue a “fair, enduring, and binding” deal that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons while allowing peaceful nuclear energy programs. The next round of talks is scheduled to take place in Muscat, though no exact date was provided.
The negotiations come amid heightened military posturing, with the U.S. recently deploying a second aircraft carrier to the region. Trump has repeatedly warned that military action remains an option if diplomacy fails, while Iran has continued enriching uranium to levels nearing weapons-grade capability.
The talks mark a rare diplomatic engagement between the two long-time adversaries, whose relations have been strained since the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the subsequent U.S. embassy hostage crisis. Tensions escalated further in 2018 when Trump withdrew from the Obama-era nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and reimposed harsh economic sanctions. Iran responded by gradually abandoning its commitments under the agreement, increasing uranium enrichment and stockpiling beyond JCPOA limits.
Despite the cautious progress, deep mistrust persists. Hardliners in Tehran have warned against concessions, while the Trump administration has sent mixed signals at times demanding Iran completely dismantle its nuclear program, while also suggesting a return to enrichment limits similar to the original 2015 deal.
As both sides prepare for further negotiations, the stakes remain high. A failure to reach an agreement could lead to renewed sanctions, military confrontation, or an unchecked Iranian nuclear program. For now, however, diplomacy remains the preferred path forward.
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