American and Iranian officials have begun their second round of indirect nuclear talks in Rome as the Trump administration weighs diplomacy against possible military action.
Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff is attempting to set up a framework for negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation with the Saturday talks, which come one week after Washington and Tehran kicked off their indirect discussions in Oman.
Last week’s discussions — which saw the US and Iran speaking from separate rooms through mediators — happened in Oman, which is friendly to both sides. Saturday’s talks are being held at the Omani ambassador’s house in Rome’s diplomatic quarter.
“The President has been clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon or enrichment program,” a spokesman for Witkoff told the Wall Street Journal on Saturday. “As we continue to talk, we expect to refine a framework and timetable for working towards a deal that achieves the President’s objectives peacefully.”
The Iranians aim to reach “a comprehensive agreement based on nine principles: seriousness, guarantees, balance, lifting sanctions, not the Libya/UAE model, avoiding threats, speed, eliminating aggressive elements (such as Israel), and facilitating investment,” Ali Shamkhani, a top aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Saturday on X.
“Iran came for a balanced agreement, not surrender,” he said, noting the Iranian team had “full authority” to enter into such an arrangement.
Witkoff this week said the US seeks a full end to Iran’s nuclear program.
”Any final arrangement must set a framework for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East — meaning that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program,” the envoy said Tuesday.
President Trump has previously said he would not rule out military strikes on Iran if diplomacy fails.
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