Iran-US Nuclear Talks Advance in Rome: Experts to Draft Framework Amid Verification Challenges
US and Iranian officials concluded a second round of high-stakes nuclear negotiations in Rome on Saturday, agreeing to move forward with expert-level meetings next week to design a framework for a potential nuclear deal. The talks come amid significant intelligence gaps on Iran's nuclear capabilities and Tehran's demand for guarantees that the US won't abandon any new agreement.
Key Developments in Rome Negotiations
The four-hour indirect negotiations in Rome marked the second round of talks within a week between Iran and the United States, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi representing Iran and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff leading the US delegation. The discussions were facilitated by an Omani mediator who shuttled messages between the two parties, as they did not engage in direct talks Reuters1.
"We were able to make some progress on a number of principles and goals, and ultimately reached a better understanding," Araqchi said on Iranian state television after the talks. "It was agreed that negotiations will continue and move into the next phase, in which expert-level meetings will begin on Wednesday in Oman" Reuters1.
The parties will reconvene at a higher level on April 26 in Oman to assess the experts' work and determine how closely it aligns with the proposed framework principles. This progression to technical discussions represents a significant step forward in a process initiated after President Trump threatened military action against Iran unless a new deal is reached quickly Reuters1.
Iran Demands Guarantees Against US Withdrawal
A central demand from Iran in these negotiations is securing firm guarantees that the United States won't abandon any future nuclear agreement, as President Trump did with the 2015 accord during his first term WSJ2.
Iranian officials have made it clear that Tehran is willing to accept some limitations on its uranium enrichment program in exchange for sanctions relief, but they insist on protection mechanisms to prevent a repeat of 2018, when the US unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Yahoo News3.
A senior Iranian official speaking on condition of anonymity outlined several "red lines" in the negotiations, stating that Iran would never agree to dismantle its uranium-enriching centrifuges, halt enrichment altogether, or reduce its enriched uranium stockpile below levels agreed in the 2015 deal Reuters1.
Intelligence Gaps Complicate Verification Efforts
A major challenge facing negotiators is the significant gap in intelligence regarding Iran's nuclear inventory, which complicates verification efforts for any potential agreement. President Trump has called for Iran to "go fast" to secure a new accord, but effective implementation will require Tehran to fully account for its nuclear program hardware—something it has been reluctant to do WSJ4.
In recent years, Iran has severely restricted United Nations atomic agency oversight of its nuclear activities—a key requirement under the 2015 accord. It has stifled International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) investigations into undeclared nuclear material found in the country, removed monitoring cameras from key nuclear infrastructure sites, and effectively banned inspectors from accessing those facilities WSJ4.
These actions have created serious verification challenges, as the international community lacks clear insight into Iran's ability to build a nuclear weapon. Since 2019, Iran has breached and far surpassed the 2015 deal's limits on uranium enrichment, producing stockpiles well beyond what Western nations consider necessary for a civilian energy program Reuters1.
Global Reactions to the Rome Talks
President Trump has emphasized his primary objective in these negotiations: "I'm for stopping Iran, very simply, from having a nuclear weapon. They can't have a nuclear weapon. I want Iran to be great and prosperous and terrific" Reuters1.
The talks have drawn mixed reactions internationally. Israel, a staunch opponent of the 2015 agreement, has reportedly not ruled out a potential military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in the coming months, according to Israeli officials cited by Reuters Reuters1.
European nations, who were signatories to the original JCPOA along with Russia and China, have generally supported diplomatic efforts to reach a new agreement. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met with his Iranian counterpart in Rome ahead of the talks, indicating European interest in facilitating the negotiation process WSJ2.
Expert Insights on Negotiation Challenges
Nuclear security experts highlight that the path to a new agreement faces significant hurdles beyond just the trust gap between Washington and Tehran. The IAEA's restricted access to Iran's nuclear facilities since 2021 has created a challenging verification environment IAEA5.
"The current state of affairs is that Iran's nuclear material under IAEA safeguards is in peaceful purposes, but we cannot provide assurance that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran," the IAEA has stated regarding the verification challenges IAEA5.
Nuclear nonproliferation experts note that any successful agreement will need robust verification mechanisms to address the intelligence gaps that have widened since the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018. The increased technical complexity of Iran's nuclear program—now more advanced than when the original deal was signed—presents additional verification challenges CFR6.
Future Implications of the Negotiations
The outcome of these talks carries significant implications for regional stability and global nuclear nonproliferation efforts. A successful agreement could lead to the lifting of crippling economic sanctions on Iran while imposing verifiable limits on its nuclear activities, potentially reducing tensions in the Middle East.
However, if negotiations fail to produce a mutually acceptable framework, the risk of military confrontation could increase. President Trump's threat of military action and Israel's reported readiness to strike Iran's nuclear facilities underscore the high stakes involved Reuters1.
In the short term, the expert-level meetings scheduled for next week will focus on technical details of a potential agreement, working to bridge the gap between Iran's demands for sanctions relief and guarantees against US withdrawal, and Washington's insistence on robust verification measures and limits on Iran's nuclear activities.
For the longer term, any agreement will need to establish sustainable monitoring mechanisms that can survive potential political changes in either country, addressing one of the key failures of the 2015 accord.
Moving Forward Amid Caution
As negotiations advance to the expert level, both sides are proceeding with measured expectations. "We cannot say for certain that we are optimistic. We are acting very cautiously. There is no reason either to be overly pessimistic," Araqchi stated, echoing the cautious approach advocated by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Reuters1.
With the next round of high-level talks scheduled for April 26 in Oman, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the technical experts can construct a framework that addresses the complex web of demands, guarantees, and verification challenges that have thus far prevented a new nuclear agreement.
As the world watches these delicate negotiations unfold, the question remains: Can the parties bridge the profound trust deficit and technical challenges to forge a lasting agreement, or will geopolitical tensions and verification hurdles ultimately derail this renewed diplomatic effort?
