Iran, US to Resume Nuclear Talks in Rome on Saturday, Tehran Says

dpa
(TNS)

Berlin (dpa) — Iran and the United States are set to resume negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program in Rome this weekend, Iran’s top diplomat said on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on the sidelines of a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the next round of U.S.-Iran talks, mediated by Oman, is scheduled for Saturday in the Italian capital, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Washington has not yet commented.

A separate meeting with representatives from Germany, France and Britain is planned for Friday. While there was no immediate confirmation from the German Foreign Office, the news site Iran Nuances reported that the talks are to take place at the level of deputy foreign ministers.

The three European nations were signatories to the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six other powers aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

The accord largely collapsed in 2018, during U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term. Trump withdrew Washington’s support for the pact and Iran subsequently stopped adhering to its commitments under the deal. Trump is now pursuing a new agreement with Tehran. Iranian and U.S. negotiators, including Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, have already met twice in Oman and once in Rome.

Tehran hopes fresh talks could ease international sanctions and reduce regional military tensions. Iran remains largely isolated over its nuclear ambitions, human rights abuses and support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.