“Maintaining Iran’s technical and nuclear achievements is a must in this process.”
ROME — High-stakes nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran are “moving forward,” Iranian officials said after Saturday’s second round of negotiations.
“We negotiated for nearly four hours today… I can say the talks are moving forward,” said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Iranian state television.
Held at the Omani embassy in Rome, the indirect meetings were mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. Both delegations sat in separate rooms, with messages relayed between them.
The U.S. team, led by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, made no public comment. Araghchi said technical talks will begin Wednesday in Oman, with another meeting set for Saturday.
Pressure mounts on the Trump administration, with critics urging military options if diplomacy falters. Trump has insisted he seeks to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, by diplomacy if possible.
Iran, seeking sanctions relief, insists its nuclear program is peaceful. “Maintaining Iran’s technical and nuclear achievements is a must,” said ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei.
Verification measures and deal framework remain unresolved.