The Trump administration is set to hold its second negotiation session with Iranian officials this Saturday in Rome, aiming to make progress on a nuclear deal. President Donald Trump met with his senior staff earlier this week to prepare for the talks. Key figures in attendance included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, among others.
In a show of diplomacy, Trump also spoke with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, who previously hosted the first meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials. The Sultan’s role as a mediator has been recognized, with Trump expressing gratitude for Oman’s efforts in the negotiations.
The first round of talks, held in Oman last Saturday, was described as positive. Iranian state media reported that the discussions took place in a "constructive atmosphere." The meeting lasted over two hours, and the U.S. delegation’s message focused on resolving differences through dialogue.
While the administration is pursuing diplomatic solutions, Trump has made it clear that military options remain on the table if negotiations fail. He warned that Iran could face serious consequences if a deal is not reached. In previous statements, he emphasized that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been vocally opposed to any agreement that might allow Iran to maintain nuclear capabilities. He has suggested a more aggressive approach, similar to Libya’s past disarmament, where military force could be used to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, has been leading the Iranian delegation and recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He indicated that Iran is open to a deal but firmly stated that uranium enrichment is a non-negotiable issue for his country. Araghchi has called for an assurance that military options will not be pursued during the talks.
As the negotiation date approaches, both sides are preparing to address key issues, including Iran’s nuclear enrichment levels and the potential for verification measures. The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for regional stability and international relations.