Iran Confirms Rome Venue for U.S. Nuclear Talks \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Iran confirmed Rome as the location for this weekend’s nuclear talks with the U.S., ending earlier confusion about the venue. The announcement came as Iran’s president accepted the resignation of former negotiator Mohammad Javad Zarif. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi also arrived in Tehran ahead of sensitive meetings on nuclear access.
Quick Looks
- Iran confirmed nuclear talks with the U.S. will take place Saturday in Rome.
- Earlier confusion had Iran shifting between Rome and Muscat as the venue.
- Oman will mediate the discussions, continuing its key role in negotiations.
- President Masoud Pezeshkian accepted the resignation of former VP Mohammad Javad Zarif.
- Zarif had been a central figure in the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
- Pezeshkian appointed legal expert Mohsen Ismaili as the new vice president for strategic affairs.
- IAEA chief Rafael Grossi arrived in Tehran and is expected to hold meetings Thursday.
- Iran continues uranium enrichment near weapons-grade levels amid reduced IAEA oversight.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff drew criticism for mixed signals on Iran’s right to enrich uranium.
- Iran’s foreign minister warned against contradictory U.S. positions in ongoing talks.
Deep Look
Iran officially confirmed on Wednesday that the next round of high-stakes nuclear negotiations with the United States will take place in Rome this weekend, bringing clarity after days of conflicting reports on the meeting’s location. The announcement, made by Iranian state television, signals renewed efforts to revive dialogue amid escalating tensions over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and Washington’s threats of military action.
The latest developments also coincided with internal political changes in Iran, as President Masoud Pezeshkian formally accepted the resignation of one of his closest allies and former vice president, Mohammad Javad Zarif — the country’s lead negotiator in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Zarif’s departure comes at a critical time, as Iran’s nuclear program operates without constraints following the U.S. withdrawal from the deal in 2018 under President Donald Trump.
Venue Confirmed: Rome, Not Muscat
While initial reports on Monday indicated that the upcoming round of negotiations would be held in Rome, Iranian officials later walked back the statement, suggesting a return to Oman — a long-time facilitator of backchannel diplomacy between Iran and the West. However, Iran’s state media on Wednesday reconfirmed that Rome will indeed host the discussions, scheduled for Saturday, with Oman’s foreign minister again serving as mediator.
Oman’s continued role reflects its trusted status as a neutral go-between, having hosted last weekend’s round in Muscat. Though U.S. officials have remained publicly silent on the location, President Trump spoke by phone Tuesday with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq while the ruler was on a diplomatic visit to the Netherlands — further underscoring Muscat’s involvement in the process.
Leadership Shift in Tehran
The shift in Iran’s diplomatic team added another layer of complexity to the already fragile talks. Zarif, widely seen as a pragmatic figure with deep experience in international diplomacy, had previously used resignation letters as a political tool — including during a dispute over Cabinet appointments. But this time, Pezeshkian accepted his resignation in a formal letter released Tuesday night.
“Due to certain issues, the administration can no longer benefit from Zarif’s valuable knowledge and expertise,” the statement from the presidency read. Despite the departure, Pezeshkian praised Zarif’s contributions and his role in the 2015 accord, which placed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for international sanctions relief.
Mohsen Ismaili, a moderate legal scholar known for his policy expertise, has been appointed as the new vice president for strategic affairs. His appointment may signal a more measured and institutional approach to the next phase of negotiations.
IAEA Chief Grossi Arrives in Tehran
At the same time, Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), arrived in Tehran ahead of anticipated meetings with President Pezeshkian and senior Iranian nuclear officials. Talks are expected to focus on restoring some level of access to Iran’s nuclear facilities, a point of friction since Iran began significantly limiting the agency’s oversight following the collapse of the JCPOA.
Since 2018, Iran has escalated its enrichment program, now producing uranium at 60% purity — just short of the 90% threshold for weapons-grade material. Surveillance systems installed by the IAEA have been obstructed, and key agency inspectors have been barred from returning. Iran’s increasing hints at the possibility of developing nuclear weapons — though officially denied — have heightened concerns in Western capitals and among nuclear watchdogs.
Despite these setbacks, Grossi’s visit suggests a willingness on both sides to preserve at least some degree of cooperation. Any future agreement between Iran and the U.S. would almost certainly hinge on the IAEA’s ability to verify Iran’s compliance with enrichment and stockpile limits.
U.S. Messaging Under Scrutiny
Diplomatic progress, however, may be complicated by perceived inconsistencies from Washington. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday publicly criticized what he called “contradictory” statements from U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Witkoff had initially suggested a deal could restore uranium enrichment limits to the 3.67% threshold outlined in the 2015 accord — only to later reverse course, insisting that “a deal with Iran will only be completed if it is a Trump deal.”
“It is imperative for the world that we create a tough, fair deal that will endure, and that is what President Trump has asked me to do,” Witkoff wrote on social media platform X.
Araghchi responded firmly, warning that mixed signals from the U.S. could undermine the already fragile negotiations. “Enrichment is a real and accepted issue, and we are ready for trust-building about possible concerns,” he said. “But losing the right to enrich at all is not negotiable.”
High Stakes, Historic Tensions
This latest phase in the Iran-U.S. nuclear saga comes against the backdrop of more than four decades of mistrust and hostility. The stakes are high: President Trump has repeatedly threatened to order military strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites if diplomacy fails, while Iranian officials continue to hint that their current level of enrichment could pivot to weapons-grade if security guarantees are not provided.
The return to direct engagement — even via mediators — signals that both sides still see value in negotiation. But with leadership changes, shifting demands, and deep-rooted ideological divisions, reaching a lasting and enforceable agreement will require careful navigation, strategic patience, and consistent messaging.
As diplomats prepare to meet in Rome under the watchful eye of the IAEA and the international community, the path forward remains uncertain — but for the moment, still open.
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