Iran and US Plan Talks in Rome to Restart Nuclear Deal

 Iran and US Set for Rome Talks in 2025: Renewed Push to Revive Nuclear Deal [Updated] Diplomats from Iran and the US are meeting in Rome this April for a renewed round of talks on Tehran’s nuclear program. Senior officials from both countries, with the support of Oman, are working to find common ground after years of stalled progress and rising tensions.

These talks matter for everyone—not just for the two countries at the table. What’s decided in Rome will affect nuclear diplomacy, global security, and stability in the Middle East. As Iran’s nuclear program advances beyond agreed limits, the world is watching for signs that dialogue can slow enrichment, reduce risks, and open the door to lasting solutions.

Background: The Road to Rome

The coming talks in Rome did not appear overnight. Years of rising nuclear activity, diplomatic missteps, and spikes in tension set the stage. Understanding why renewed urgency surrounds these negotiations starts with looking back at the 2015 deal, Iran’s recent nuclear progress, and the security worries that continue to ripple across the region.

Photo by Lara Jameson

The 2015 Nuclear Deal and Its Collapse

The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) promised to hold back Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. Iran agreed to:

• Reduce its enriched uranium stockpile by 98%.
• Limit uranium enrichment to 3.67%, well below weapons-grade.
• Allow strict International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring and checks.
• Remove two-thirds of its centrifuges.

For a time, the deal kept tensions manageable and inspections regular. Things changed in 2018 when the United States withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions. Iran soon began rolling back its own commitments and, step by step, started ramping up its nuclear work beyond agreed limits. Years of distrust and reactive policies followed, fueling the international sense that a breakthrough is now needed. To learn more about what led to the collapse, review this concise summary from the Council on Foreign Relations and this overview by the BBC.

Iran’s Nuclear Progress Since 2015

Since the JCPOA broke down, Iran advanced its program at a steady clip. Enrichment levels have climbed far above the 3.67% set in 2015, sometimes exceeding 60%, edging closer to what’s suitable for weapons. According to the IAEA, Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium is now more than 20 times the allowed limit under the old deal, raising alarms among experts and international agencies.

Key milestones include:

• Restarting high-level enrichment at Fordow and Natanz.
• Installing more advanced IR-6 centrifuges.
• Blocking some international inspections at critical sites.

Recent IAEA reports find that Iran’s uranium stockpile and enrichment capabilities are the most advanced they’ve ever been, shrinking the “breakout time” should Tehran decide to seek a nuclear weapon. More context on Iran's current nuclear status is available from a Commons Library research briefing.

Regional Security Challenges

The collapse of nuclear diplomacy has affected the broader Middle East. Regional powers see Iran’s nuclear work as both a challenge and a threat. Israel has issued repeated warnings and, at times, carried out covert operations targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Gulf Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, publicly urge stronger checks on Tehran. The US has stepped up both sanctions and military presence when tensions spike.

The region has witnessed:

• Sharp rises in missile and drone incidents linked to Iranian forces and allies.
• Regular tit-for-tat actions in Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf, straining security lines.
• Heightened anxiety as conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon intersect with Iran’s activities, making de-escalation harder.

For detailed perspectives on security pressures and Iran’s growing regional influence, visit this timely Middle East Institute analysis and the Carnegie Endowment’s regional report.

As Rome’s talks approach, these political, nuclear, and regional challenges set the stakes. The stakes could not be more real for both regional players and the wider world keeping a cautious eye on the coming negotiations.

Key Players and Mediators in Rome

As the spotlight turns to Rome, all eyes follow the main actors responsible for moving nuclear diplomacy forward. Negotiators do not work in a vacuum—each brings their own history, strategy, and constraints to the table. Alongside them, a network of trusted mediators and watching world powers seeks both to keep talks on track and to shape the agreement’s final outcome.

US and Iranian Delegations: Lead Representatives and Policy Stances

In Rome, negotiations come down to a handful of prominent faces representing the interests of entire nations.

• United States: The US side is led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, a seasoned diplomat with deep ties to Middle East policy. His approach aims for sharp, phased limits on Iran’s program and tougher verification steps. Witkoff’s strategy reflects current White House priorities: arms control first, regional de-escalation soon after, and no easing of sanctions until Iran shows measurable compliance.
• Iran: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands at the head of the Iranian delegation. Known for his pragmatic but firm style, Araghchi pushes for immediate relief from sanctions, guarantees for future trade, and respect for Iran’s right to civilian nuclear energy. Iran holds a strong line on enrichment capabilities and asks for clear, predictable steps from Washington before taking major actions itself.

Discussions rarely happen face-to-face at this stage. Instead, both teams communicate indirectly through skilled intermediaries, maintaining plausible deniability while testing each other’s red lines. For a deeper dive on these lead figures and their negotiating style, explore this update from CNN Politics on Rome nuclear talks and recent coverage by CNBC on US-Iran official engagement.

Mediation and International Involvement

Photo by ladii kian

Oman’s Role as Mediator

Oman stands out as the region’s most discreet and effective go-between. Its foreign minister operates with rare neutrality, earning trust in both Washington and Tehran. In Rome, the Omani delegation shuttles proposals, clarifies misunderstandings, and keeps talks focused on technical solutions instead of political slogans.

Key facts about Oman’s mediation style:

• Confidentiality: Oman holds back-room talks, never leaking details, keeping all parties comfortable.
• Trust-building: Decades of hosting secret dialogue lets both US and Iran relax their messaging and test bold ideas.
• Persistence: Omani officials keep working even when tensions spike, as seen in the earlier Muscat meetings. For more context on this approach, look at Reuters’ report on recent Oman-based talks.

Russia’s Diplomatic Moves

Russia, while not at the center of talks, pulls strings from the sidelines. Its representatives argue for a nuclear deal that keeps Tehran inside the Non-Proliferation Treaty and avoids destabilizing the region. Moscow’s latest focus is on technical solutions:

• Proposing Russian storage or oversight for Iran’s enriched uranium, offering security guarantees in exchange.
• Lobbying for recognition of Iran’s right to peaceful enrichment, provided oversight remains strict.

Russia also uses back-channel discussions to push for its own interests, deepening ties with both Iran and European powers wary of a regional arms race. Recent partnership maneuvers and diplomatic strategy details are covered in Euronews’ story on Russia’s involvement.

Many European allies remain in contact, offering technical expertise and support for IAEA monitoring, but leave the main brokering to Oman, Russia, and the United States for now. Each player at Rome’s table brings leverage, history, and deep national interest, setting the conditions for what’s likely to come next.

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