Sat Apr 19 15:52:44 UTC 2025: ## US and Iran Hold “Constructive” Second Round of Indirect Nuclear Talks
**Rome, Italy** – Iran and the United States have completed a second round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Rome, described by Iranian officials as “constructive” and progressing toward further meetings. Senior negotiators, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, held four hours of talks on Saturday, April 19th, mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. While the US has yet to release a statement, Iran reported that the talks yielded a “better understanding on certain principles and goals.”
The two delegations remained in separate rooms throughout the discussions. Technical-level talks are scheduled for next week, leading to another meeting between senior officials on April 26th. Iranian officials expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing that while the talks are advancing, there is no room for excessive optimism or pessimism.
These talks follow an initial meeting in Muscat last week, marking the first high-level discussions between the two countries since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018. The current discussions are focused on establishing a framework for future negotiations, with details regarding Iran’s nuclear program yet to be addressed. A key point of contention remains whether Iran can maintain a civilian nuclear program or must dismantle it entirely.
The timing of these talks is significant, coming after International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi stated that Iran is “not far” from possessing a nuclear weapon. Grossi’s agency would play a crucial role in verifying any future agreement. The negotiations also occur amidst renewed US pressure on Iran, with President Trump reiterating his preference for diplomacy but warning of military action if talks fail. While Iran has expressed some skepticism about US intentions, the positive Iranian assessment of the Rome talks suggests a potential path forward in de-escalating tensions.
First Piper 