WANA (May 23) – The indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States will be held at the residence of the Omani ambassador at 1 p.m. in Rome today, mediated by Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. The residence of the Iranian ambassador in Rome is about 300 meters away from the Omani ambassador’s residence.

 

Oman has attempted to bridge the maximalist positions of both sides. Previously, the Iranian Foreign Minister had emphasized in an interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) that the Omani Foreign Minister had insisted on holding the fifth round of negotiations.

 

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, has so far held four rounds (three in Muscat and one in Rome) of indirect talks with Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump, mediated by Seyed Badr al-Busaidi, Oman’s Foreign Minister.

 

Early this morning (Friday), the Foreign Minister and head of Iran’s negotiating team left for Rome to resume the fifth round of these discussions with the U.S. President’s special envoy.

 

َAcording to the reports, the Iranian delegation has been smaller than in the previous rounds, and no technical experts are accompanying the Iranian Foreign Minister, as Tehran enters the Rome talks focused on one key question: What is the U.S. really seeking in these negotiations?

 

Unlike the previous round that addressed technical details, the current talks appear to shift back to the core issue of Iran’s right to uranium enrichment.

 

Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs; Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy for Legal and International Affairs; Esmaeil Baqaei, the Ministry’s Spokesperson; and several other diplomats are among the members of the delegation accompanying the Foreign Minister.

 

Numerous journalists from various countries, including several reporters from anti-Iranian media outlets, have gathered in front of a building belonging to the Omani Embassy in Rome, and no journalist is present inside the venue where the negotiations take place.

 

Contrary to what some media outlets have reported about the Iranian delegation arriving first at the venue, the American delegation was the first to enter the venue, and after a short interval, the Iranian negotiating team arrived.

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Badr Al-Busaidi, the Foreign Minister of Oman, met and held consultations in Rome. Araghchi thanked Badr Al-Busaidi for his constructive role in facilitating dialogue. During the meeting, they reviewed today’s discussions and consulted on the way forward.

 

It is also reported that the Italian Foreign Minister is currently not in Rome due to a work-related trip.

 

The main sticking point in the talks is currently the issue of the necessity of continuing uranium enrichment inside Iran. Despite the claims made by American officials, Iranian officials have repeatedly stated in recent days that uranium enrichment inside Iran will continue with or without an agreement.

 

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Baqaei, stated that, “We arrive in Rome, Italy, to continue the negotiating process we started on 12 April 2025 in Muscat. As we’re entering the fifth round, our goal & goalpost remain unchanged.

 

Iran’s nuclear program is the product of a long-term perseverance, resistance and resilience by a nation that takes pride in its hard-won achievements and expects their diplomats to stand firm and hold fast to our nation’s rights & interests.”