Negotiations between Iran and the United States regarding Tehran’s advancing nuclear program are poised to move out of the Middle East, as diplomatic sources reported that Italy has officially agreed to host the upcoming round of discussions. This development marks a significant shift in the ongoing dialogue aimed at mitigating tensions and addressing nuclear proliferation concerns.
Italy steps in to host critical discussions
Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Foreign Minister, disclosed to reporters in Japan that the Italian government has accepted the responsibility of facilitating the latest phase of negotiations. Concurrently, Iran’s Foreign Minister indicated that the next meeting is “probably going to take place somewhere other than Oman,” signaling a departure from the previous location.
“It’s not an important matter,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, remarked during a press conference in Tehran.
While officials from both Iran and the United States have yet to confirm the specifics of the venue, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp stated that the dialogues are set to occur in Rome, potentially on Saturday, April 19. Despite this venue change, Oman, which facilitated the initial round of talks in Muscat, is expected to maintain its role as a mediator in the discussions.
High stakes as negotiations unfold
Following the inaugural round of talks, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism, characterizing the exchanges as “positive” and “constructive.” He indicated that a swift decision regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions was forthcoming. The current negotiations carry heightened significance as the two nations approach the conclusion of decades of hostility.
Should an agreement fail to materialize, Trump has cautioned that airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities could be on the table, while Iranian officials warn that their uranium stockpile, having been enriched to near weapons-grade levels, poses a significant threat for potential nuclear armament.
Analysts have highlighted that while the US can provide sanctions relief to bolster Iran’s struggling economy, the extent to which Iran may be prepared to compromise remains uncertain. Historically, since 2018, Iran has shown a preference for continuing uranium enrichment at levels of at least 20%.
“There must definitely be guarantees in place regarding the fulfilment of commitments,” Baghaei emphasized. “The issue of guarantees is especially important given the history of broken promises in the past. God willing, the negotiating team will continue its work with all these factors and points in mind,” he added.
In a related development, Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is scheduled to visit Iran later this week for discussions. Following the US’s unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement, the IAEA has continued its operations within Iran, albeit with the Iranian government gradually restricting access to nuclear facilities.
Grossi has previously highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration with the agency, stating, “Continued engagement and cooperation with the agency are essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed.” This underscores the critical role the IAEA plays in monitoring compliance and fostering a stable diplomatic environment.