Iran’s FM in Rome for Fifth Round of Indirect Talks with US

The fifth round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States is scheduled to take place around Friday afternoon in Rome, Italy.

The negotiations are led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi and Steve Witkoff, the US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs under President Donald Trump.

As in previous rounds, the discussions are being conducted indirectly, with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi serving as the mediator between the two sides.

A major sticking point in the talks remains the issue of uranium enrichment on Iranian soil.

Recent statements from US officials, including Witkoff, have emphasized a complete halt to enrichment activities in Iran, a demand that Tehran strongly opposes.

In a televised interview last night, Araqchi stressed, “Uranium enrichment will continue inside Iran.”

“There are still fundamental disagreements between us. The American side does not accept enrichment in Iran. If that is their goal, there will be no agreement. But if their goal is to ensure Iran does not pursue nuclear weapons, that is achievable. We are not seeking a nuclear weapon.”

Araqchi noted that despite unresolved issues, negotiations should not be halted.

“Diplomacy never shuts down,” he said. “The Omani intermediary has worked hard and proposed another round in hopes of finding a solution. We cannot compromise on enrichment. As long as they accept this reality, we will continue negotiations. Our enrichment is non-stoppable.”

Iran’s primary demand in this round of talks is the effective removal of unilateral and illegal US sanctions.

Tehran maintains that, as a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it has the right to enrich uranium and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Araqchi arrived in Rome shortly before the talks, leading a political delegation for the planned midday meeting with Witkoff, mediated by Oman.