US-Iran nuke talks to resume in Rome amid dispute over uranium enrichment

The United States and Iran are set to resume indirect nuclear talks on May 23, in Rome, marking the fifth round of talks mediated by Oman since April, according to an announcement by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.

Although the US and Iran haven’t had formal diplomatic ties for decades, they have continued indirect talks to try to revive a nuclear deal. The aim is to limit Iran’s nuclear program in return for easing tough US sanctions. However, major disagreements remain, especially over Iran’s uranium enrichment.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday reiterated Tehran’s uncompromising stance, declaring that Iran will never halt its uranium enrichment program. “I have said it before, and I repeat it again: uranium enrichment in Iran will continue—with or without an agreement,” Araghchi stated on state television.

This comes even as Iran confirmed its participation in the upcoming Rome talks. Araghchi maintained that Iran remains committed to diplomacy but will not concede to what it sees as excessive demands. “We will always be present at the negotiating table... but we stand against excessive demands and rhetoric,” he said.

Since the US withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under then-President Donald Trump, Iran has steadily escalated its nuclear program.

The 2015 deal capped uranium enrichment at 3.67 per cent and limited Iran’s stockpile to 300 kilograms. However, since 2018, Tehran has enriched uranium to as high as 60 per cent, just a technical step away from weapons-grade 90 per cent purity.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also cast doubt on the outcome of the negotiations, saying, “I don’t think nuclear talks with the US will bring results.”

The US, for its part, has yet to officially confirm its attendance in Rome. American officials, including Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have insisted that any new deal must include Iran giving up uranium enrichment — a position Iran has categorically rejected.