The second round of talks between Iran and the US over Tehran's nuclear program began Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in Rome and concluded later in the afternoon, according to Iranian media.
American and Iranian sources claimed the negotiations were "progressing rapidly," according to the Associated Press. Iranian reports said a working-level meeting with American representatives is planned in the coming days, followed by another high-level meeting in Oman next Saturday.
A spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry said the talks were conducted with the two delegations in separate rooms, with the Omanis relaying messages between them, mirroring the previous round held in Oman. In an official statement released by Oman's Foreign Ministry following the day's meetings, it was confirmed that Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff agreed to move to the next stage of discussions, aiming to sign a "fair, stable, and binding agreement" on Iran's nuclear program.
According to the statement, the two sides made progress during talks, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi. The agreement's stated goal is "to ensure Iran remains completely free of nuclear weapons and sanctions, while preserving its ability to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes." The next round of negotiations is expected to be held in Muscat "in the coming days."
Iranian achievement
From Iran's point of view, the Rome talks are seen as a major diplomatic win. The Omani Foreign Ministry's statement, reflecting the official positions of both parties, goes beyond the optimistic Iranian messaging following the last meeting. The declaration outlines the core principle of the emerging agreement: elimination of Iran's nuclear weapons capabilities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, alongside permission to continue developing civilian nuclear energy.
This language suggests that the Americans have, at least for now, abandoned several of the fundamental demands that were emphasized before negotiations began. Chief among these were: a complete halt to uranium enrichment; termination of the ballistic missile program capable of delivering nuclear warheads; and ending support for regional terrorist organizations.
However, a senior international source told Israel Hayom that despite this, the American delegation, led by Steve Witkoff, has defined as off-limits all industries and developments related to nuclear weapons. This includes warhead development, the mechanism intended to detonate a nuclear charge inside a missile, as well as missiles specifically designed to carry such warheads. Iranian officials, meanwhile, assert that missile projects were not discussed at all.
A shift in positions?
Behind the scenes, a debate is intensifying between Witkoff's pro-negotiation stance and that of the deal's opponents, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who enjoys backing from a group of Republican senators. All are warning against a deal resembling the JCPOA, signed by the Obama administration, and questioning how Trump, who harshly criticized and annulled that agreement in 2019, could now endorse something similar.
This position, which mirrors Israel's stance, is also supported by Western intelligence agencies, including those of Germany and the UK. These agencies provide critical information on Iran's nuclear weapons developments and express serious doubts about both the enforceability of any agreement and Iran's long-term willingness to comply with its terms. The Israeli position, outlining the risks and necessary conditions for any agreement, was presented to the American delegation during its stop in Paris by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad Director David Barnea.
On the surface, the outcome of today's meeting has sparked deep concern in Israel, raising questions about whether Witkoff, who is pushing for an agreement, has truly internalized the risks.
