Iran and US Prepare for Pivotal Second Round of Nuclear Talks in Rome
The United States and Iran are gearing up for a second round of high-stakes nuclear talks in Rome this Saturday, just a week after what both sides described as a “constructive” initial round in Muscat, Oman. These talks mark a significant step in long-frozen diplomacy between the two adversaries, who have had no formal diplomatic relations since the aftermath of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The discussions are being mediated by Oman and will feature Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The Rome meeting is considered especially critical as tensions over Iran’s nuclear program continue to rise, and time for a diplomatic breakthrough appears to be running out.
Iran has repeatedly asserted that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, despite long-standing accusations from the West that Tehran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, recently stated that Iran is “not far” from the capability to build a nuclear bomb—raising the urgency of these negotiations.
During his earlier presidency, Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear agreement that had imposed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for relief from international sanctions. Following the US withdrawal, Iran initially remained in compliance for a year but later began rolling back its commitments, significantly increasing uranium enrichment levels. It now enriches uranium to 60%, still below the 90% needed for a weapon but far beyond the limit set by the original deal.
Trump, now back in office, has reinstated his "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, reimposing sanctions and warning of possible military action if talks fail. Still, he recently remarked that he's not in a hurry to use force, adding, “I think Iran wants to talk.” In March, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pushing for renewed nuclear discussions.
However, Iranian officials remain skeptical. Araghchi, who was a key negotiator in the 2015 deal, acknowledged a “degree of seriousness” in the first round of talks but said Iran still doubts US intentions. He emphasized that Iran would attend the Rome talks but reiterated that “unreasonable and unrealistic demands” from Washington could derail progress.
One of the major sticking points remains the US desire to expand the conversation to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and its role in regional conflicts—issues Iran refuses to discuss. Araghchi has declared that Iran’s right to enrich uranium is “non-negotiable,” and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has firmly stated that the country’s military capabilities are off limits in these talks. Iran has also warned it could withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if the UN “snapback” sanctions are reimposed—a possibility if Iran continues to breach the 2015 agreement.
The US, meanwhile, is facing pressure from allies, especially Israel, which has pledged to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons “at any cost.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged European nations to consider triggering the snapback mechanism that would automatically reinstate sanctions, a move Iran has warned against.
Both sides now face a narrowing window to reach a deal. According to Grossi, the talks are at a “very crucial stage” and there is limited time left to avoid a full-scale crisis. Despite deep mistrust and sharply opposing views, the fact that Iran and the US are willing to engage in a second round of negotiations shows that diplomacy still has a chance—however slim it may be.
