A second round of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded Saturday in Rome, with both sides signaling progress. The indirect talks, mediated by Oman, follow initial discussions held last weekend in the Gulf nation. A third round is set for next Saturday in Muscat.
U.S. officials described the four-hour meeting as a success, with a senior administration official telling CNN the parties “made very good progress.” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed the sentiment, citing “movement forward” and “better understanding” on key principles.
The renewed diplomatic push comes amid heightened tensions and mixed signals from Washington. President Donald Trump, who pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his first term, has floated military threats against Iran’s nuclear facilities should talks collapse. While Trump says he seeks a deal “different, and maybe a lot stronger” than the Obama-era agreement, statements from officials suggest ongoing internal debate.
Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, representing the U.S. in the talks, emphasized nuclear verification as a priority but appeared to backtrack days later, insisting Iran must “eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth further escalated expectations, calling for full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear capabilities—demands Tehran has dismissed as unacceptable.
Iran maintains its nuclear ambitions are peaceful and insists it has a right to civilian enrichment under international law. Responding to the U.S.’s fluctuating stance, Araghchi warned that enrichment is “non-negotiable,” and Iran’s foreign ministry criticized Washington’s mixed messaging as a threat to the negotiations’ credibility.
Despite rejecting direct talks, Iran accepted indirect negotiations via Oman, following a letter from Trump to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing a new deal with a two-month deadline.
The discussions are unfolding under the watchful eye of Israel, a vocal critic of any agreement that does not completely dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed for military options and was reportedly blindsided by the announcement of talks earlier this month. Israel’s top strategic officials, including Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea, met with Witkoff in Paris before the Rome negotiations.
While Israeli officials continue to advocate for a Libya-style disarmament, Iranian leaders reject such comparisons, pointing to Libya’s post-deal collapse as a cautionary tale.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi called the latest discussions “highly constructive” and said they were “gaining momentum.” Technical expert-level meetings are scheduled for Wednesday in Oman to hammer out details ahead of the next high-level round.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Oman will travel to Moscow Monday to meet with President Vladimir Putin. Russia, a signatory to the 2015 deal and an ally of Tehran, is expected to play a role in any future agreement.
As the delicate diplomatic dance continues, both Washington and Tehran appear cautiously optimistic. Whether the third round can bridge remaining gaps or reinforce existing fault lines remains to be seen.
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