Iran, US agree to continue nuclear talks after Rome meeting
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The Oman-mediated talks in Rome lasted about four hours, Iranian state television reported, describing the atmosphere as "constructive".
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, on April 18, 2025 (AP)
Iran and the United States agreed on Saturday to resume discussions on Tehran's nuclear program next week, according to Iranian state television, as they concluded their second round of talks in Rome over their decades-long impasse.
The United States and Iran made substantial progress in discussions in Italy, a spokesperson for the US State Department told Al Mayadeen. Moreover, the American official said that Washington and Tehran agreed to "meet again next week," in order to proceed with talks mediated by Oman.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff negotiated indirectly through Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who relayed messages between the two parties, Iranian officials said. This followed a first round of indirect talks, a week earlier, in Muscat that both sides described as positive.
The Oman-mediated talks in Rome lasted about four hours, Iranian state television reported, describing the atmosphere as "constructive".
"The two sides agreed to resume indirect talks at a technical level over the next few days and subsequently continue at the level of two senior negotiators next Saturday," April 26, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on X.
There were useful indirect talks today between Iran and the United States conducted by Oman Foreign Minister in a constructive atmosphere.
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) April 19, 2025
The two sides agreed to continue the indirect talks in few days at technical level to be followed by another round at their own level on…
Oman said the third round would be in Muscat, returning to the site of the first talks a week ago.
Araghchi announced that the two sides have agreed to assign expert teams to begin drafting a framework for a possible nuclear agreement.
President Donald Trump, who withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers during his first term in 2018, has warned that he may resort to military force unless a new deal is reached promptly to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful but has expressed willingness to consider limited restrictions in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.
US-Iran talks productive, held in constructive atmosphere: Araghchi
Speaking on state television after the talks, Araghchi described the discussions as productive and held in a constructive atmosphere.
"We were able to make some progress on a number of principles and goals, and ultimately reached a better understanding," he said.
Araghchi pointed out that the US side had "not raised any issues unrelated to the nuclear topic so far."
He added that both parties agreed to move into the next phase of negotiations, with expert-level meetings set to begin on Wednesday in Oman. The experts will have the opportunity to start designing a framework for an agreement," Araghchi noted.
The top Iranian diplomat further confirmed that senior negotiators will reconvene in Oman the following Saturday to "review the experts’ work and assess how closely it aligns with the principles of a potential agreement.”
Talks 'gaining momentum', Oman says
The talks, Oman's foreign ministry said, "aim to seal a fair, enduring and binding deal which will ensure Iran (is) completely free of nuclear weapons and sanctions, and maintaining its ability to develop peaceful nuclear energy."
It said the talks are "gaining momentum and now even the unlikely is possible."
Araghchi and Witkoff had a brief interaction after the first round of talks, marking the first such contact since 2015, while Araghchi emphasized Iran’s commitment to diplomacy and urged all parties to work toward a logical nuclear agreement.
"Such an agreement should respect Iran's legitimate rights and lead to the lifting of unjust sanctions on the country while addressing any doubts about its nuclear work," Araghchi said, stating in Moscow Friday that he believes an agreement is possible if the US is realistic.
Italy called for continued dialogue and peaceful negotiation. However, Tehran cautioned against expecting a swift resolution, with the leader of the Islamic Republic, Sayyed Ali Khamenei maintaining a balanced stance, saying he is "neither overly optimistic nor pessimistic."
Trump told reporters Friday that he was "for stopping Iran, very simply, from having a nuclear weapon. They can't have a nuclear weapon. I want Iran to be great and prosperous and terrific."
Trump sticking to diplomacy for now
According to Reuters, the Israeli occupation has not ruled out a possible strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in the coming months, despite Trump telling Prime Minister Netanyahu that Washington is currently unwilling to support such action, according to Israeli and US sources.
Israeli officials have continued to press for the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program and have presented the US with various military options, including airstrikes and commando raids, some proposed for late spring or summer.
Even though Trump prefers diplomacy for now, Israeli officials are reportedly considering a smaller-scale strike that would require less US involvement, though such a move could strain relations and risk losing US support.
The report stresses that some of these plans had also been previously shown to the Biden administration and would need extensive US backing, especially in the event of Iranian retaliation.
In response to a request for comment, the US National Security Council directed Reuters to remarks made by Trump on Thursday, in which he stated he hasn't discouraged "Israel" from striking Iran but emphasized he is not "in a rush" to back military action against Tehran.
Trump said, “I think that Iran has a chance to have a great country and to live happily without death,” adding, “That's my first option. If there's a second option, I think it would be very bad for Iran, and I think Iran is wanting to talk.” Additionally, a senior Israeli official told Reuters that no decision has been made yet on an Iranian strike.
A senior Iranian security official said Tehran was aware of Israeli planning and that an attack would provoke "a harsh and unwavering response from Iran."
"We have intelligence from reliable sources that Israel is planning a major attack on Iran's nuclear sites. This stems from dissatisfaction with ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding Iran’s nuclear program, and also from Netanyahu’s need for conflict as a means of political survival," the official told Reuters.
