Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described Tehran’s ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States as “complicated,” following the conclusion of the fifth round of talks in Rome on Friday. The negotiations, mediated by Oman, have yet to yield substantive breakthroughs, with both parties sticking to sharply divergent positions.
Araghchi, who is leading the Iranian delegation, acknowledged the difficulty of the discussions. “The negotiations are too complicated to be resolved in two or three meetings,” he said, adding that progress remains possible, particularly in light of proposals brought forward by the Omani delegation.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed that “some but not conclusive progress” had been made. “We hope to clarify the remaining issues in the coming days to allow us to proceed toward the common goal of reaching a sustainable and honourable agreement,” he said in Rome.
The talks, which commenced in April, represent the most high-profile diplomatic contact between Tehran and Washington since the United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord during President Donald Trump’s first term. Now back in office, Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran while maintaining an openness to diplomacy – albeit under the looming threat of military action should negotiations fail.
Iran, battered by decades of economic sanctions, is pushing for a trade agreement that would ease restrictions and restore a measure of economic stability. However, the issue of uranium enrichment continues to be a core sticking point.
Also read: Fifth round of Iran-US nuclear talks to begin in Rome today
During the previous round of negotiations in Muscat, a public dispute erupted when the American representative, identified only as Witkoff, stated that Washington “could not authorise even one percent” enrichment — a stance Tehran rejected outright.
“It’s quite simple; if the US expects Iran to halt nuclear enrichment, then there can’t be a deal,” said Mohammad Marandi, a political scientist and former adviser on Iran’s nuclear policy.
Tensions have escalated in recent weeks, with President Trump warning of possible airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities if no accord is reached. Iranian officials, in turn, have cautioned that they may reconsider their nuclear stance should the country come under further threat.
“Iran almost certainly is not producing nuclear weapons, but Iran has undertaken activities in recent years that better position it to produce them if it chooses to do so,” a recent assessment by the United States Defence Intelligence Agency noted.
As the diplomatic process continues to unfold, the road to any sustainable resolution remains fraught with historical mistrust and geopolitical rivalry. The coming weeks are expected to test both sides’ willingness to compromise in pursuit of a longer-term understanding.
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