5th round of indirect US-Iran nuclear talks begins in Rome: Iranian media

ISTANBUL

The fifth round of indirect negotiations between the US and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program commenced on Friday in Rome, according to Iranian state media Press TV.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi heads the Iranian delegation to the Italian capital, while US President Donald Trump's regional envoy Steve Witkoff leads his country’s delegation.

Before departing for Rome, Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s determination to continue its uranium enrichment program and stressed that no agreement would be reached if the US maintains an excessive demand to reduce Iran’s enrichment rights to zero.

“Figuring out the path to a deal is not rocket science; zero nuclear weapons mean we do have a deal. Zero enrichment means we do not have a deal. Time to decide,” he wrote on X.

Iran and the US resumed nuclear diplomacy last month to bridge gaps on Tehran’s uranium enrichment, with Oman acting as a mediator.

Tehran aims to lift international sanctions in exchange for curbing aspects of its nuclear activities—without relinquishing its right to peaceful nuclear energy.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that Washington aims to strike a deal permitting Iran to operate a peaceful nuclear energy program, but without uranium enrichment—acknowledging, however, that securing such an agreement “won’t be easy.”

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed US demands to halt uranium enrichment, calling them “excessive and outrageous,” and warned that the negotiations are unlikely to lead to a resolution.

A key obstacle in the talks is Tehran’s refusal to either export its stockpile of highly enriched uranium or discuss its ballistic missile program.

Iran has expressed willingness to accept some restrictions on uranium enrichment, but insists on firm assurances that the US will uphold any future nuclear agreement.

The latest developments come after the fourth round of indirect talks concluded on May 11 in Oman. Tehran described the discussions as “difficult but useful,” while Washington called them “encouraging.”