The United States and Iran could be on the verge of signing an interim nuclear agreement during the next round of negotiations in Rome, according to reports quoting sources familiar with the matter.
The talks, long mired in distrust and diplomatic deadlock, may soon yield a breakthrough. As per the report, the proposed interim deal could include provisions for uranium enrichment to be undertaken by a group comprising Middle Eastern countries and the United Nations' nuclear watchdog. However, officials have cautioned that no final agreement has been reached, particularly as Washington's diplomatic approach has seemingly bypassed close ally Israel.
Notably, the agreement is not expected to address Iran’s ballistic missile programme, nor is it likely to be expanded to include wider regional security issues, the report added.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump confirmed to reporters that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and advised restraint with regard to Iran’s nuclear sites.
When asked during an interaction in the Oval Office whether he had discouraged Netanyahu from launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump said, “Well, I’d like to be honest. Yes, I did. I told Netanyahu this would be very inappropriate to do right now because we’re very close to a solution.”
He continued, “That could change at any moment. It could change with a phone call. But right now, I think [Iran] wants to make a deal, and if we can make a deal, [that would] save a lot of lives.”
Also read: No quick resolution in Iran-US nuclear negotiations
Trump further stated: “We’re having very good discussions with [Iran], and I said [to Netanyahu], ‘I don’t think that’s appropriate right now.’ Because if we can settle it with a very strong document — with inspections and [not based on] trust.”
“I want [the deal to be] very strong, where we can go in with inspectors, we can take whatever we want. We can blow up whatever we want, but [with] nobody getting killed.”
Since returning to office in January, Trump has revived the “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran, marked by escalated sanctions and veiled military threats. He has repeatedly warned that, should talks collapse, military options remain on the table.
Senior Iranian officials, speaking to local media last week, acknowledged that Iran's leadership sees a renewed agreement as the only viable route to stave off mounting economic instability, which they fear could imperil the nation’s clerical establishment.
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