Iranian nuclear, negotiations restart in Rome: last chance to avoid stalemate

Today at 1pm the fifth round between the US and Iran: indirect talks mediated by Oman, Italy supports the process. Khamenei threatens, Washington dictates conditions

The start of the fifth round of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme is expected at 1pm today, Friday 23 May. Rome will once again host the meeting, with the mediation of Oman and the indirect participation of the United States. The Iranian agency Irna confirmed the news, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X that he was on his way to the capital for the ‘indirect talks’ with Washington.

According to European diplomatic sources, today’s round could represent ‘the last chance to avoid the storm’, after the hardened positions of both sides brought the talks to a standstill.

Washington maintains a hard line, setting clear limits. Tehran, for its part, reiterates that the right to uranium enrichment is non-negotiable. ‘If there are violations, the table will jump,’ is the warning that has come in the last few hours from Iranian sources.

Concerns also came from the Iranian Supreme Guide, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who expressed ‘doubts’ about the effectiveness of the negotiations and called the American demands ‘nonsense’. ‘Asking to stop enrichment is a serious mistake,’ the leader thundered.

Despite the tense climate, the US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said he was confident: ‘We hope that something really positive will emerge from this meeting’.

Italy also plays an important role in the diplomatic framework. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani assured the full support of the Italian government for the ongoing process. After a discussion with his Omani counterpart in Rome, Tajani stressed that the choice of the capital for the meeting ‘shows that tensions are decreasing’, although he admitted the complexity of the negotiations. ‘We need clear guarantees from the Iranian side: there must be no atomic weapon, and it has been reiterated that there will not be one,’ he said.

In addition to US envoys Steve Witkoff and Michael Anton, strategic figures such as Mossad chief David Barnea and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer will also attend the meeting on a confidential basis, Axios reported.

The context remains fragile, but Rome is once again confirmed as a crucial junction in Middle East diplomacy.

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