Iran and U.S. Resume Nuclear Talks in Rome for Fifth Round, Uranium Enrichment Remains Central Issue
Diplomats from Iran and the United States convened in Rome this week for a fifth round of nuclear negotiations, as both nations seek to revive or renegotiate terms of the stalled nuclear agreement amid rising global tensions. With uranium enrichment once again taking center stage, the talks are being closely watched by international stakeholders concerned about regional stability and nuclear proliferation.
The high-level discussions, held behind closed doors, bring together negotiators from Washington and Tehran in what observers describe as a delicate and complex effort to address longstanding disputes over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and U.S. sanctions policy. The negotiations are being facilitated with the support of European Union diplomats and held in a neutral setting in Rome to maintain diplomatic momentum.
Sources familiar with the talks say that uranium enrichment remains the most contentious issue. Tehran continues to defend its right to enrich uranium for what it claims are peaceful purposes, while U.S. officials are pressing for strict limits and enhanced verification protocols to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
“The talks have been constructive but challenging,” said a European diplomat close to the negotiations. “Both sides are presenting firm positions, but there is still room for compromise.”
Iran’s nuclear program has significantly expanded since the U.S. withdrew from the original 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under former President Donald Trump. Tehran has since enriched uranium to levels far beyond the deal’s original limits, raising alarm among Western nations and prompting fears of a potential nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
U.S. officials are reportedly offering a phased lifting of certain economic sanctions in exchange for verifiable rollbacks in Iran’s enrichment activities. However, Iran is demanding broader guarantees, including protections against future U.S. withdrawals from any new agreement and the unfreezing of billions in Iranian assets held abroad.
The Rome meetings mark the fifth round of efforts to bridge the gap, with previous sessions held in Doha, Geneva, Vienna, and Istanbul. Each has made incremental progress but failed to reach a comprehensive resolution.
For its part, the Biden administration is under pressure from both domestic critics and key regional allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, who view any loosening of restrictions on Iran as a threat to regional security.
In Tehran, hardliners remain skeptical of Western intentions, and political factions are divided on whether a renewed agreement is worth the concessions required.
Despite these hurdles, international observers see the continuation of dialogue as a positive sign. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reiterated its willingness to assist in monitoring any agreement, stressing that transparency and accountability are crucial to building global trust.
As the Rome round concludes, both sides are expected to regroup and evaluate their next steps. A sixth round has not yet been confirmed, but diplomats suggest that backchannel communications will remain active in the weeks ahead.
Source : Swifteradio.com
