Iran, US progress in nuclear talks, experts take over framework

ROME,— The United States and Iran have agreed to begin drafting a preliminary framework for a possible nuclear deal, Iran’s foreign minister said Saturday, following a second round of indirect talks mediated by Oman.

Speaking on Iranian state television, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the discussions with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff lasted nearly four hours in Rome and were “constructive.”

An Omani diplomat served as intermediary between the two sides, relaying proposals and messages.

“Both sides clarified certain principles and reached mutual understanding on some goals,” Araghchi said. “Expert-level meetings will start in Oman on Wednesday to begin designing a framework.”

The parties plan to reconvene at the senior level next Saturday in Oman to evaluate the progress made by technical teams, he added.

The 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers was abandoned by President Donald Trump in 2018.

Since then, Trump has insisted on a new deal to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, threatening military action if Tehran fails to comply.

On Friday, Trump reiterated his position, saying: “I’m for stopping Iran from having a nuclear weapon. They can’t have it. I want Iran to do well, but they must not have nuclear capability.”

Iran continues to maintain that its nuclear activities are civilian in nature. It has expressed willingness to accept limited restrictions if international sanctions are lifted.

Araghchi, while calling the latest meeting useful, cautioned against expecting swift outcomes. “We’re taking careful steps. Optimism is premature, but we’re not pessimistic either,” he said.

The U.S. has not publicly commented on the outcome of Saturday’s meeting.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, remain skeptical of negotiations. One Israeli source and two others familiar with the matter said Israel has not ruled out a military strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in the near future.

Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles have exceeded 2015 agreement limits since 2019, according to Western sources. Tehran has enriched uranium beyond civilian energy needs, raising concerns in Washington and Tel Aviv.

An Iranian official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters that Tehran’s red lines remain unchanged: no dismantling of enrichment technology, no halt in uranium production, and no reduction in stockpile levels below what was agreed in the original deal.

Iran and U.S. begin first round of talks in Oman on April 13 in Oman.

(With files from Reuters)