The U.S. and Iran have taken a significant step forward in their negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program. During talks held in Rome on Saturday, both nations agreed to move into the next phase of discussions. This was confirmed by a statement from Oman’s foreign ministry, which has been mediating between the two countries.
The goal of these negotiations is to reach an agreement that would provide Iran with relief from sanctions in exchange for assurances that it will not develop nuclear weapons. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that technical talks are scheduled for next Wednesday, followed by political-level discussions the following Saturday.
Oman’s statement emphasized the aim of achieving a “fair, enduring and binding deal.” This deal would ensure that Iran remains free of nuclear weapons while allowing it to pursue peaceful nuclear energy development. Recently, there has been some confusion about the U.S. position, particularly regarding whether the Trump administration wants to dismantle Iran’s civilian nuclear infrastructure or simply verify that it will not weaponize its enriched uranium.
Within the U.S. government, there are differing views on how to approach Iran. Some officials, known as Iran hawks, are skeptical about the effectiveness of diplomacy. They include National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. On the other side, advocates of a more restrained foreign policy, such as Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, prefer negotiations over military action.
Last weekend, special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Araghchi to help reduce tensions and prepare for future talks. Both diplomats led their respective delegations during the discussions on Saturday.
Iran expert Trita Parsi, who supports a nuclear agreement, commented on social media that the speed of President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts with Iran is “stunningly positive.” This shows a shift in the dynamics of U.S.-Iran relations, as both sides appear to be more open to dialogue. As the talks continue, many will be watching closely to see if a resolution can be reached that satisfies both nations.