Iran Confirms Nuclear Talks with U.S. to Be Held in Rome on Saturday

Iran Confirms Nuclear Talks with U.S. to Take Place in Rome Amid Rising Tensions

IAEA Chief in Tehran as U.S.-Iran Negotiations Resume Under Omani Mediation

Iran has officially confirmed that its next round of nuclear negotiations with the United States will be held this Saturday in Rome, resolving earlier confusion over the talks' location. The announcement, made on Iranian state television on Wednesday, comes amid escalating tensions over Tehran’s nuclear enrichment program and concerns from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The Omani government, which previously facilitated indirect negotiations in Muscat, will continue its mediator role. Oman’s Foreign Minister is set to act as a go-between for Iranian and U.S. representatives during the Rome meeting.

Leadership Changes and Diplomatic Maneuvers

The diplomatic announcement coincided with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s approval of the resignation of one of his vice presidents, a key figure in Iran’s original 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. The move signals potential shifts in Iran’s internal negotiating team ahead of the high-stakes summit.

Meanwhile, IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for critical talks with Iranian leaders, including President Pezeshkian. These discussions, set for Thursday, are expected to focus on inspector access, surveillance cooperation, and Iran’s growing stockpile of enriched uranium.

Grossi Warns Iran Is “Not Far” From Nuclear Weapon Capability

In a stark warning issued just before his visit, Grossi told Le Monde that Iran was edging closer to nuclear weapons capability.

“It’s like a puzzle. They have the pieces, and one day they could eventually put them together,” Grossi said.
“They’re not far off — that has to be acknowledged.”

Since the collapse of the 2015 deal following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s unilateral withdrawal in 2018, Iran has dramatically ramped up its nuclear activity. Uranium is now being enriched to 60% purity, just shy of the 90% weapons-grade threshold. Tehran has also disrupted IAEA surveillance systems and barred key inspectors from accessing nuclear facilities.

U.S. Pushes for New Framework, Iran Holds Its Ground

The upcoming Rome talks are expected to revisit core aspects of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, conflicting rhetoric from U.S. and Iranian officials may complicate progress.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, stated this week that Iran must return to 3.67% enrichment levels, consistent with the JCPOA. He later added that any agreement must be framed as a “Trump deal,” reinforcing the administration’s push for tougher, unilateral terms.

“Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponisation program,” Witkoff wrote on X.
“It is imperative for the world that we create a tough, fair deal that will endure.”

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the notion that Iran would forfeit its enrichment rights, stating:

“Enrichment is a real and accepted issue, and we are ready for trust-building. But losing the right to enrich at all is non-negotiable.”

Security Stakes High as Pressure Mounts

President Trump has repeatedly threatened to use military force if a deal is not reached, further escalating tensions. In parallel, Iranian officials have issued veiled threats about pursuing nuclear weapons capability, positioning the weekend’s talks as a pivotal moment in the region’s security landscape.

Despite rising hostilities, Grossi emphasized that the IAEA’s role remains central to any future deal, as it would be responsible for verifying Iranian compliance with any new limits or transparency commitments.

Although relations between Iran and the IAEA have soured in recent years, Grossi’s arrival in Tehran suggests a potential thaw — or at least a recognition on both sides that verifiable oversight remains essential to prevent a deeper crisis.

What’s Next?

As Iran and the United States prepare for their next round of indirect negotiations in Rome, the outcome will depend on how far each side is willing to compromise — and whether Oman’s mediation can bridge the widening political and ideological divides.

With the IAEA playing a pivotal oversight role, and geopolitical pressure mounting, Saturday’s talks could determine whether diplomacy has a chance to defuse one of the world’s most dangerous nuclear flashpoints — or if a confrontation is looming.

Stay tuned to World news with The Horizons Times for in-depth updates on U.S.-Iran nuclear diplomacy, global security developments, and IAEA oversight efforts in the Middle East.