Iran and the United States have made “some but not final progress” in a fifth round of talks in Rome on Iran's fast-growing nuclear program, according to an Omani mediator involved in the talks.
Badr al-Busaidi's comments suggest that dialogue between the two long-time rivals will continue, even as major tests lie ahead in finding a compromise between US demands to halt uranium enrichment and Tehran's insistence that its program must continue.
“The fifth round of talks between Iran and the US ended today in Rome with some, but not final, progress,” Mr. al-Busaidi said.
“We hope to clarify the remaining issues in the coming days, which will allow us to move towards our common goal of reaching a sustainable and dignified agreement.”
American officials, including President Donald Trump, insist that Iran cannot continue enriching uranium under any deal that would lead to sanctions relief for Tehran's embattled economy.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said online on Friday morning that no enrichment would mean “we have NO deal.”
“It doesn't take much effort to figure out how to reach an agreement,” Mr. Araghchi wrote in X. “It's time to make a decision.”
The United States was again represented at the talks by Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Michael Anton, the State Department's director of policy planning.
Mr. al-Busaidi acted as a mediator in the talks, as the sultanate on the Arabian Peninsula is a trusted partner of both Tehran and Washington.
Several convoys arrived at the Omani embassy in Rome's Camilluccia district just after 1 p.m. The embassy had earlier become the venue for another round of talks. Iranian media reported that discussions began at 1:30 p.m.
About two and a half hours later, the convoy left the embassy compound. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state television that it was Mr. Witkoff who was leaving because he had a flight to catch.
Mr Bagai added that the talks continued without Mr Witkoff in a “healthy and calm atmosphere.”
Mr Araghchi announced online that the talks had ended shortly after 5 p.m.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
