U.S. and Iran Resume Critical Nuclear Talks in Rome Amid Deep Divides

In a pivotal moment for Middle East diplomacy, American and Iranian negotiators are set to reconvene in Rome on Friday in an effort to revive long-stalled discussions over Iran’s nuclear program.

Despite a cloud of skepticism from both sides, the meeting marks the fifth round of talks as the two nations attempt to bridge decades of distrust and geopolitical rivalry.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will engage in the negotiations with the assistance of Omani mediators.

While Tehran maintains the talks remain indirect, American officials have confirmed that the recent discussions—including the May 11 session in Oman—have involved both direct and backchannel communication.

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The stakes are high. For President Donald Trump, the objective is clear: prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon that could destabilize the region and potentially spark an arms race across the Middle East. Iran, meanwhile, is seeking relief from punishing economic sanctions that have crippled its oil-driven economy and pushed its population to the brink.

Yet, serious obstacles remain. One of the most contentious issues is uranium enrichment. While U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Washington is open to Iran maintaining a peaceful nuclear energy program, he emphasized that enrichment—key to weaponization—remains off the table.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, however, has dismissed these conditions as “excessive and outrageous,” casting doubt on whether a mutually acceptable deal is within reach.

Khamenei’s words carry significant weight, as he holds the final say in Iran’s strategic direction. His warning that negotiations may be futile underscores the difficult path ahead for both delegations.

Tehran has so far refused to ship its stockpile of highly enriched uranium abroad and remains adamant about excluding its ballistic missile program from the talks—two sticking points that Washington insists must be addressed.

Still, Iranian officials say they are open to limiting enrichment under strict conditions, but only if the United States offers cast-iron guarantees that any future deal won’t be unilaterally abandoned.

As diplomats prepare to sit down once again, the world watches closely. The outcome of these Rome talks could determine whether diplomacy can triumph over confrontation—or whether the long shadow of conflict looms closer than ever.