Iran has confirmed that its upcoming nuclear negotiations with the United States will take place in Rome this weekend, following some initial confusion regarding the location. The announcement came via Iranian state television and coincided with President Masoud Pezeshkian’s acceptance of the resignation of a vice president who had been a key figure in the negotiation processes pertaining to the 2015 nuclear deal with global powers.
The discussions are set against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington regarding Iran’s nuclear advancements. Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has arrived in Tehran to engage in talks that may cover inspector access under any potential agreement. The mediation role of Oman is also affirmed, as the Gulf state has been instrumental in facilitating communication between the two nations. Oman’s foreign minister previously served as a mediator during last weekend’s talks in Muscat, and he is expected to contribute to the upcoming negotiations in Rome.
The complexities surrounding these discussions are accentuated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s previous threats of military action should a satisfactory agreement not be reached. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have expressed their concerns that they may pursue nuclear armament given their current uranium stockpiles reached levels close to weapon-grade standards.
Rafael Grossi hinted at fears that Iran may not be far from achieving the capability to develop nuclear weapons. He indicated that while the nation possesses many of the necessary components, a few critical steps remain before they could potentially assemble them. Since the United States’ withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018, Iran has significantly escalated its nuclear activities, increasing uranium enrichment to levels nearing 60% purity. Surveillance operations by the IAEA have been hindered, as Iran has limited access to some of the agency’s seasoned inspectors while also threatening to advance its nuclear program beyond existing constraints.
In the context of the negotiations, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has cautioned the U.S. against sending mixed signals. His statements arise in response to comments from U.S. officials regarding the future of uranium enrichment levels. Araghchi emphasized that any agreements must respect Iran’s right to enrich uranium, indicating that this issue is considered non-negotiable from Tehran’s perspective.
As the discussions unfold, the emphasis remains on finding mutual ground to ensure compliance and address the varying concerns of both parties while backing diplomatic avenues to diffuse rising tensions.
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