Iranian and United States diplomats met in Rome on Tuesday for a second round of high-level discussions to revive nuclear diplomacy. The session comes after previous indirect negotiations in Muscat, as the two sides struggle to find a way forward for Iran’s nuclear program amidst mounting regional tensions.
The negotiations in Rome are indirect, Iranian officials say, with mediators taking messages back and forth between the two sides. Although details are still thin on the ground, insiders say topics of uranium enrichment caps, sanctions relief, and nuclear facility inspections are at the heart of the talks. The mood, one diplomat said, is “serious but cautious.”
The sense of urgency surrounding the negotiations is heightened by recent alerts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which reported that Iran’s nuclear inventory continues to expand. In addition, the U.S. has been worried about Tehran’s backing of regional proxy forces, making chances for a wider accord more difficult.
Despite the tensions, both Tehran and Washington seem eager to avoid further escalation. The result of the Rome talks could be a turning point — either paving the way for fresh cooperation or plunging diplomatic impasse deeper.
