Iran and the United States prepared on Friday for a fifth round of talks in Rome on Tehran's rapidly expanding nuclear programme, with enrichment emerging as a key issue.
US officials, from President Donald Trump to Iran, insist that Iran cannot continue enriching uranium in any deal that would allow sanctions on Tehran's troubled economy to be lifted. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted online on Friday morning that no enrichment meant "we have no deal".
"Figuring out the path to a deal is not rocket science, Time to decide," Araghchi wrote on the social platform X.
The US will again be represented in the talks by Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and State Department policy planning director Michael Anton. Though officials have not specified a location for the talks, another round of talks took place at the Omani embassy in the Italian capital. Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi is mediating the talks as the sultanate on the Arabian Peninsula has been a trusted mediator for both Tehran and Washington in the negotiations.
Negotiations Focus on Mutual Enrichment
Talks aim to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for easing US-imposed economic sanctions, potentially marking a significant shift after nearly half a century of hostility.
In recent days, Trump has threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran's program if a deal isn't reached.
"Iran almost certainly is not producing nuclear weapons, but Iran has undertaken activities in recent years that better position it to produce them, if it chooses to do so," a new report from the U.S. Defence Intelligence Agency said, as quoted by the Associated Press.
Enrichment remains a key issue in the dispute. At one point, Witkoff suggested Iran could enrich uranium to 3.67%, then later he began to say that Iran should stop all enrichment. This US position has become increasingly tough over time.
"These actions reduce the time required to produce sufficient weapons-grade uranium for a first nuclear device to probably less than one week," it added.
Asked about the talks, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said, "We remain confident we will be successful in our negotiations," and that Washington was not pursuing enrichment efforts.
On Thursday, Bruce said, "The Iranians are at that table, so they also understand what our position is, and they continue to go."
