Iran has confirmed that the next round of nuclear negotiations with the United States will be held in Rome. The decision ends days of confusion over the location, which initially saw officials naming both Rome and Oman as possible venues. On Tuesday, Iranian state TV made the final announcement, stating that while the talks will take place in Rome, Oman will continue its role as a mediator.
Oman’s foreign minister had also played a key part in the previous weekend’s backchannel talks in Muscat, further reinforcing the Gulf country’s role as a trusted neutral party between the longtime adversaries.
Growing Stakes as Diplomatic Tensions Rise
The upcoming nuclear talks carry huge significance, not just for Iran and the U.S., but for global security. Relations between the two nations have remained hostile for nearly 50 years, with repeated attempts to ease tensions often failing. The current round of diplomacy comes at a time of heightened threats and warnings.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has consistently warned Iran of possible airstrikes if its nuclear program isn’t contained. Iranian leaders, meanwhile, have hinted that they might pursue nuclear weapons if diplomatic paths continue to fail. Iran has been enriching uranium at 60% purity, which is just below the 90% needed to create a nuclear weapon.
Leadership Change as Zarif Resigns
In a major political shakeup, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accepted the resignation of Mohammad Javad Zarif, who had served as Iran’s Vice President and previously as Foreign Minister. Zarif was a central figure in the 2015 nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Zarif also supported Pezeshkian during his election campaign. However, he faced increasing criticism from hard-line factions in Iran, who accused him of making too many compromises in previous talks. The presidency said that current political conditions made it impossible to continue relying on Zarif’s experience.
To replace him, President Pezeshkian appointed Mohsen Ismaili, a 59-year-old legal scholar and moderate political figure. Ismaili is expected to play a key role in shaping Iran’s diplomatic approach in the upcoming negotiations.
IAEA Chief in Tehran for Urgent Meetings
As negotiations gear up, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, arrived in Tehran for high-level discussions. He is scheduled to meet with President Pezeshkian and other top Iranian officials on Thursday morning.
These talks are seen as critical, especially since Iran has not allowed full access to its nuclear sites in recent months. The IAEA hopes to reestablish stronger cooperation and ensure greater transparency from Tehran moving forward.
Iran’s Position on Enrichment
Since the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 deal in 2018, Iran has walked away from many of its obligations under the agreement. Today, Tehran continues to enrich uranium far beyond the levels allowed under the JCPOA.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has spoken out against what he calls the “double standards” of the United States. He emphasized that while Iran is willing to build trust, it will not give up its right to enrich uranium.
“We are committed to peaceful energy,” said Araghchi. “But enrichment is our sovereign right. We cannot accept deals that strip us of that right while others remain silent on their own arsenals.”
U.S. Hardens Its Demands
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy to the Middle East, has taken a tougher tone in recent days. In his latest statement, he said that Iran could return to the 3.67% enrichment level outlined in the 2015 deal. However, he made it clear that the current administration, under Donald Trump’s influence, would only accept a new agreement on what he called “Trump terms.”
“A Trump deal is the only path forward,” said Witkoff. “Iran must stop enrichment and dismantle any weapons-related infrastructure. Only then can we talk about lifting sanctions or easing tensions.”
Outlook and Global Reactions
Experts around the world are watching the developments closely. Some say the talks in Rome could be a turning point, while others warn that expectations should remain low given the wide gap between both sides’ demands.
Other nations, including members of the European Union and the United Nations, continue to push for a diplomatic resolution. They urge both Washington and Tehran to find common ground before tensions lead to open conflict.
This renewed dialogue comes at a critical time for the Middle East. Several regional countries have expressed concern over Iran’s nuclear program, while also calling for stability and peace in the region.
With Zarif’s departure, a new venue, and increasing global attention, the Rome talks could prove decisive for the future of Iran-U.S. relations and nuclear diplomacy worldwide.
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