US and Iran Nuclear Talks Make Progress Amid Tensions

The US and Iran have held a second round of nuclear talks in Rome and agreed to meet again next week, amidst mixed messages and threats. US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of its options: a deal or war, and previously suggested Israel would lead a military response if talks failed. Iran has stockpiled enough highly-enriched uranium to make several bombs and insists it's not returning to talks out of fear of US and Israeli strikes, but because the US limited its demands to nuclear issues. The talks come amid a diplomatic flurry, with Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister visiting Tehran and Iran's Foreign Minister visiting Moscow. The atmosphere remains tense, with Ayatollah Khamenei expressing distrust of US negotiations and warning of retaliation if Iran is attacked. The two sides have differing narratives on the talks, with the US saying they are direct and Iran saying they are indirect, mediated by Oman.

The US and Iran made "very good progress" in their second round of nuclear talks held in Rome, a US official said. The negotiations, mediated by Oman, discussed Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and they agreed to meet again on April 26 in Oman, with technical talks to precede the meeting. The talks represent a historic moment given the decades of enmity between the two countries.

The US and Iran are holding talks in Rome regarding Iran's nuclear program, with the US seeking to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran's history of deceit and cheating on its nuclear commitments has raised concerns about its intentions. In 2018, the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, brokered by the Obama administration, citing its failure to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions. Experts warn that Iran is reintroducing its "playbook" of deception, claiming it will use enriched uranium for civilian purposes, while the US is skeptical. The US State Department said that Iran's history of cheating will be discussed at the negotiating table, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that enrichment is "non-negotiable." The Trump administration has outlined a two-month framework to reach a deal, with some experts suggesting that military pressure is necessary to bring Iran to the negotiating table.