Fresh negotiations between Iran and the United States are underway in Rome, but hopes for a peaceful agreement are facing challenges due to growing military threats and unclear positions from both sides.
This second round of talks follows earlier meetings in Oman, which were described as productive, but current developments show that reaching a deal will not be easy.
The talks are happening now because Iran and the US are trying to manage the rising risk of conflict in the region. The US government, under President Donald Trump, has warned Iran repeatedly about the consequences of walking away from a deal. Trump has made it clear that military options remain on the table, though he has expressed a preference for diplomacy. Reports also say that Israel had pushed for airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, but the US held off for now.
This latest push for diplomacy comes after years of tensions. In 2018, the US withdrew from a nuclear deal signed in 2015, which had allowed international inspectors to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Since then, Iran has reduced its compliance with that agreement, and it now has enough enriched uranium to potentially build nuclear weapons, though it insists it does not intend to do so.
Iran’s decision to rejoin talks seems influenced by recent threats but officials say they returned only because the US agreed to limit the discussions to nuclear matters. Iranian leaders have said they will not give up the right to enrich uranium, although they are willing to build trust and allow monitoring to ease concerns about their nuclear program.
Both countries are sending strong signals, but not all of them match. The US negotiating team has given mixed messages about how much uranium enrichment Iran might be allowed. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have reacted by saying the real positions will become clear only in face-to-face discussions. For now, Iran insists that the right to enrich uranium is not up for debate, though they are open to cooperation on verifying their activities.
While these talks continue, a lot is happening outside the negotiating room. Diplomats from other countries, including Saudi Arabia, are involved behind the scenes. Saudi Arabia’s defense minister recently visited Tehran with a personal message from King Salman, showing that regional players are watching the talks closely.
Iran has made it clear that if attacked, it will respond against US bases in the region, many of which are located in nearby Arab countries. That warning adds more pressure on the talks, as any failure could push the region closer to open conflict.
The coming days in Rome may determine whether diplomacy can still prevent another crisis in the Middle East or whether both sides will head toward confrontation once again.