Iran and the United States are set to engage in a second round of high-stakes negotiations in Rome this weekend, focusing on Tehran’s advancing nuclear program. This meeting represents a significant moment considering the long-standing tensions between the two nations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis.
The discussions will revolve around the efforts of U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The outcome of these talks could significantly impact the possibility of diplomatic progress or failure. The negotiations are part of ongoing attempts to restore the nuclear accord abandoned unilaterally by the United States in 2018 under President Donald Trump. This original deal had severely limited Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities in exchange for economic sanctions relief.
The stakes are high, with the risk of potential military action by the U.S. or Israel against Iran’s nuclear sites, or Iran advancing toward developing an atomic weapon. Simultaneously, tensions in the Middle East are escalating due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and recent U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
President Trump emphasized his firm stance on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons while expressing a desire for Iran to become prosperous. Meanwhile, Iran reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy as a means to address international issues, acknowledging the complexity of the path ahead.
Both Witkoff and Araghchi have been traveling prior to the talks. Witkoff recently visited Paris to discuss matters related to Ukraine, while Araghchi returned from Moscow after meeting with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin. Russia, a key player in the original 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, could play a significant role in any new deal. Analysts suggest that Moscow might take custody of Iran’s uranium enriched to 60% purity, which is close to weapons-grade levels.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who facilitated the initial round of negotiations, has arrived in Rome to mediate once again. Oman has historically acted as a conduit between Iran and Western nations, hosting the first direct talks between Araghchi and Witkoff.
Meanwhile, Iran seeks a resolution that could stabilize its troubled economy. The country continues to face domestic unrest over issues such as the mandatory hijab and the potential increase in gasoline prices, which have previously triggered widespread protests. The Iranian currency, the rial, recently improved against the U.S. dollar amid the ongoing negotiations, providing some hope for economic recovery.
In a related development, two Airbus A330-200 aircraft, formerly part of China’s Hainan Airlines, have arrived in Tehran. These planes, equipped with engines featuring significant American components, were re-registered to Iran. Such transactions would ordinarily require U.S. Treasury approval due to existing sanctions.
