Iran, US Begin Second Round of Mediated Nuclear Talks in Rome

(Bloomberg) -- Iran and the US on Saturday began a second round of talks aimed at reaching a deal over Tehran’s nuclear program, according to Iranian state television. 

The delegations, led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, convened in Rome, with Oman acting as mediator. The first round was held in Muscat, Oman’s capital, a week ago. 

A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry said earlier that his country was engaging in the talks “with open eyes” and a “commitment to diplomacy.” He added that the negotiations were expected to remain indirect, similar to the first round, with each side exchanging notes via the mediator. 

Although Iran and the US termed the first round of talks constructive, they later clashed over respective demands and the limits of a potential deal, along with an apparent disagreement on where the talks should take place.

Witkoff on April 15 said Iran must dismantle its uranium-enrichment program, hours after he’d said the country could continue low-level enrichment for civilian use. Iran criticized the shift, reiterating that its enrichment capability was non-negotiable.

The talks were also preceded by a visit to Tehran by International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Mariano Grossi, who warned that time was running out to reach a resolution to the years-long standoff. 

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met with his Iranian counterpart on Saturday ahead of the talks, the foreign ministry said. He also met with Grossi. 

Araghchi stated that Tehran is seeking a reasonable agreement and aims to eliminate any doubts about the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, according to a foreign ministry readout. 

Italy has long held close ties with Iran, even amid sanctions and tensions with the West in general. Its embassy in Tehran is among its most important ones in the Middle East, and Rome has traditionally sought mediation and dialogue rather than confrontation with the Islamic Republic. 

Relations were strained last year after Iran imprisoned Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, touching off a complex case of hostage diplomacy involving an Iranian citizen arrested in Milan on a US warrant. Both were eventually released after negotiations with Washington.  

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