Rome: Diplomats from Iran and the United States are scheduled to meet in Rome on Friday for the fifth round of nuclear negotiations, as tensions rise over Tehran’s uranium enrichment program.
The renewed discussions come after a breakdown in the previous session in Muscat, which ended in a public disagreement.
The dialogue, initiated in April, represents the highest level of engagement between the two countries since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during former President Donald Trump’s administration.
Since then, Washington has resumed its “maximum pressure” policy while keeping military options on the table if talks fail.
Tehran is pressing for a revised deal that would provide relief from the economic sanctions that have severely impacted its economy. However, significant obstacles remain.
One of the main sticking points is Iran’s right to enrich uranium. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff reaffirmed Washington’s firm stance, stating that the U.S. could not permit even minimal enrichment.
In contrast, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that enrichment is a non-negotiable right under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
As the June meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna approaches, the Rome talks are seen as pivotal.
Tehran has already increased uranium enrichment levels to 60%, well beyond the JCPOA’s 3.67% limit but below weapons-grade thresholds.
Experts in Iran, such as political analyst Mohammad Marandi, say the government is unlikely to make further concessions.
Iranian officials argue that many countries enrich uranium for civilian purposes and that they should be allowed to do the same.
Geopolitical tensions also shadow the negotiations, particularly due to Iran’s adversarial relationship with Israel. Iranian officials have warned that any attack on their nuclear facilities by Israel would implicate the United States as well, especially in light of recent reports that Israel may be preparing for military action.
Friday’s discussions precede a crucial phase in the international effort to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions. European powers—Britain, France, and Germany—have warned that they could activate the JCPOA’s “snapback” sanctions mechanism if they deem Iran a threat to continental security. Araghchi cautioned that such a move would not only end Europe’s involvement in the deal but could also trigger an irreversible escalation.
