US media reports say a second round of high-level talks between US and Iranian delegations on Tehran’s nuclear program concluded in Rome on April 19, amid tempered optimism about a diplomatic way forward.
CNN reports that Saturday’s negotiations came a week after an initial round was held in the Omani capital Muscat. Although the talks were in Italy, Oman was again acting as mediator between the US team, led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and the Iranian one, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The Trump administration reportedly expressed optimism following the talks, pointing to “very good progress” and that they had “agreed to meet again” next week. “Today, in Rome, over four hours in our second round of talks, we made very good progress in our direct and indirect discussions,” a senior administration official told CNN.
According to Reuters, US President Trump told reporters on Friday: "I'm for stopping Iran, very simply, from having a nuclear weapon. They can't have a nuclear weapon. I want Iran to be great and prosperous and terrific."
IRNA reports that co-chaired by Araghchi and the U.S. president’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, were held indirectly through Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.
During phone talks with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, Araghchi reportedly said on April 19 that talks between Iran and the United States can be fruitful if goodwill and realism persist.
IRNA says that during the phone call, Araghchi briefed Tajani on the Saturday discussions, and extended his appreciation for Italy’s coordination with Oman in facilitating the talks.
Tajani, for his part, praised Iran’s responsible approach and expressed gratitude for being informed of the developments.
He reportedly also reiterated Italy’s readiness to assist in advancing this diplomatic process.
Al-Jazeera cited the top Iranian diplomat as saying that technical experts will meet in the coming days, suggesting movement in negotiations, before the third round of talks in Oman on April 26.
In 2015, an agreement was reached between Iran and several countries (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), which called for scaling down Iran's nuclear program.
In 2018, during his first term, Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the agreement based on intelligence about Iran's nuclear program developments. Since then, indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington have been unsuccessful
