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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A second round of indirect talks with the United States will take place in Rome, with Oman continuing to mediate, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday.
“Today, in the historic city of Rome, the second round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States will be held, mediated by the Foreign Minister of Oman,” Esmaeil Baqaei wrote in a post on X.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always demonstrated, with good faith and a sense of responsibility, its commitment to diplomacy as a civilized way to resolve issues, in full respect of the high interests of the Iranian nation,” he added. “We are aware that it is not a smooth path but we take every step with open eyes, relying also on the past experiences.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Rome for the negotiations, state media reported. His talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff began last Saturday in Oman, focusing on Tehran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief. Both Washington and Tehran described their first meeting as positive.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi on Friday ahead of the negotiations. “Tomorrow we will host high-level talks in Rome to facilitate a positive solution. Italy is ready to give its contribution to peace and stability in the Middle East,” Tajani wrote on X.
Tajani also met with US Vice President JD Vance on Friday.
US President Donald Trump is hoping to strike a new nuclear deal with Iran to replace the one that he withdrew from in 2018. Under that agreement, Tehran agreed to curb its uranium enrichment program in exchange for sanctions relief. After the US exited the agreement and imposed sweeping sanctions, Tehran gradually rolled back on its nuclear commitments.
Upon returning to office earlier this year, Trump reinstated his “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, arguing in early February that Tehran was “too close” to developing a nuclear weapon. He has threatened military action should negotiations fail to produce a new agreement.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
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