Middle East: Iran, US hold crucial round of nuclear talks
The fifth round of nuclear negotiations between Iranian and US delegations in Rome has ended with limited progress, according to Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who mediated the talks.
"The fifth round of Iran-US talks have concluded today in Rome with some but not conclusive progress," Sayyid Badr said on X. He added that he hoped "the remaining issues" would be clarified in the coming days.
Iranian and US negotiators have been meeting in Italy's capital Rome for a fifth round of nuclear talks after a public dispute over uranium enrichment that ended the previous round in Oman.
The talks, the highest-level contact between the two countries since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, are being mediated by Oman. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff are leading the delegations, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency.
Since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has revived his "maximum pressure" strategy on Iran, supporting diplomacy while warning of military action if talks fail. Tehran is seeking a new agreement to ease sanctions that have severely impacted its economy.
During the fourth round of talks, Witkoff stated that Washington "could not authorize even one percent" enrichment — a stance Iran rejected, citing its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Ahead of Friday's meeting, Araghchi said "fundamental differences" remain, particularly over enrichment rights. He warned, "We will not have an agreement at all" if the US insists on banning Iranian enrichment. However, he said Iran was open to increased international inspections of its nuclear sites.
The Rome talks come ahead of a June meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the expiration of parts of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in October.
Iran is currently enriching uranium to 60% purity — far above the 3.67% cap under the deal but still below the 90% level required for a nuclear weapon. Tehran has repeatedly denied it is seeking nuclear arms.
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