US, Iran officials hold 'useful' second round of nuclear talks in Rome

The United States and Iran held a second round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Rome this week, with both sides reporting progress and agreeing to resume talks next Saturday. The effort, led by the Trump administration, aims to use diplomatic means to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

"There were useful indirect talks today between Iran and the United States conducted by Oman Foreign Minister in a constructive atmosphere,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei wrote on X. “The two sides agreed to continue the indirect talks in few days at technical level to be followed by another round at their own level on coming Saturday.”

Trump administration Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff is working to create negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation. A spokesman for Witkoff told the Wall Street Journal, "The President has been clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon or enrichment program."

"As we continue to talk, we expect to refine a framework and timetable for working towards a deal that achieves the President’s objectives peacefully,” the spokesman added.

Araghchi spoke positively about Saturday’s meeting, telling Iran’s Tasnim news agency, “We succeeded in reaching a better understanding on certain principles and goals,” and that “The negotiations were conducted in a constructive atmosphere and are progressing.”

Ali Shamkhani, a top aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, emphasized on X that Iran aims to reach “a comprehensive agreement based on nine principles: seriousness, guarantees, balance, lifting sanctions, not the Libya/UAE model, avoiding threats, speed, eliminating aggressive elements (such as Israel), and facilitating investment.”

"Iran came for a balanced agreement, not surrender,” he added.

The two sides met last week in Oman, where the US and Iran spoke from separate rooms through mediators. The most recent talks took place at the Omani ambassador’s house in Rome.

Witkoff reiterated that the Trump administration’s goal remains a total end to Iran’s nuclear program.

“Any final arrangement must set a framework for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East — meaning that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program,” Witkoff said.