As tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to mount, Tehran has indicated a fresh willingness to accept restrictions on its uranium enrichment program—if the United States can offer cast-iron guarantees that the agreement won’t be abandoned again, especially under the leadership of former President Donald Trump.
Diplomatic sources confirmed that the United States and Iran are set to resume direct negotiations in Rome on Saturday, following a first round of talks in Oman last week. Both sides described the Oman discussions as “constructive,” raising cautious optimism that diplomacy might again prevail in one of the world’s most persistent nuclear standoffs.
Iran’s Offer: Limits With Conditions
According to Iranian officials, the Islamic Republic is open to placing new limits on its controversial nuclear program, specifically on uranium enrichment levels, provided the U.S. can assure long-term compliance—something previous administrations have failed to deliver.
“Our position remains unchanged—we are not seeking nuclear weapons,” a senior Iranian official told local media on Friday. “But we will not accept another deal that can be torn up on a whim by the next U.S. president.”
The demand for enforceable guarantees stems from lingering mistrust over former President Donald Trump’s 2018 decision to unilaterally withdraw from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement that was brokered between Iran and six world powers, including the U.S., UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany.
Trump’s exit from the deal saw the reimposition of severe economic sanctions on Tehran, effectively collapsing years of diplomatic progress and triggering an acceleration of Iran’s nuclear program.
Talks Resume Amid Renewed Pressure Campaign
Trump, who has resumed a maximum pressure campaign on Iran since February, is said to be closely monitoring the Rome talks. While he is not currently in office, his influence over the Republican Party and looming 2024 presidential ambitions are shaping U.S. foreign policy calculations, especially as Iran continues its enrichment activities.
Iranian authorities are deeply wary of Trump’s return to power and insist that any new agreement must survive beyond the electoral cycles in Washington. Tehran has also warned that threats of military strikes—statements Trump has made in the past—will only escalate tensions.
Meanwhile, U.S. negotiators have emphasized the need for Tehran to take meaningful steps toward de-escalation. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, lead American negotiator Steve Witkoff reiterated Washington’s position: “Iran must cease and dismantle its uranium enrichment efforts if it truly seeks a lasting agreement with the United States.”
Historic Distrust Casts Shadow Over Progress
Iran’s mistrust runs deep. During the administration of President Joe Biden, Washington made several attempts to revive the JCPOA, but efforts stalled as Tehran demanded legally binding assurances that no future U.S. administration could unilaterally walk away from the pact. Under U.S. constitutional constraints, such assurances remain difficult to deliver.
The Biden administration’s failure to secure a renewed deal by the end of its term has left the diplomatic path fraught with obstacles. Iran, for its part, has continued to expand its enrichment program, surpassing the JCPOA’s limitations, though it maintains that its nuclear work is strictly for peaceful purposes.
UN Role Welcomed by Tehran
Despite ongoing friction with Washington, Tehran has signaled that it is willing to work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to provide transparency. Iranian officials said they view the UN nuclear watchdog as the only impartial entity capable of verifying the peaceful nature of their atomic activities.
“The IAEA has the expertise, the experience, and the neutrality required in this situation,” an Iranian diplomat told state-run media. “We are ready to cooperate fully, but we will not entertain politicized inspections.”
The IAEA has previously confirmed that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium has exceeded the JCPOA’s cap, and its enrichment levels have reached close to weapons-grade thresholds—raising alarm among Western nations.
A Deal Still Possible, Says Tehran
On Friday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry released a statement affirming that a deal remains within reach—if the U.S. demonstrates sincerity and refrains from making “unrealistic demands.”
“Diplomacy can succeed, but only if both sides are committed to a balanced and reciprocal process,” the statement read. “We will not accept threats or coercion as a path to dialogue.”
The announcement follows weeks of behind-the-scenes discussions involving European intermediaries, who are attempting to bridge the divide between Washington and Tehran. The upcoming Rome talks are expected to focus on technical limitations to Iran’s enrichment capabilities, sanction relief mechanisms, and monitoring frameworks.
Global Stakes and Regional Implications
The stakes of a renewed nuclear deal are high—not only for U.S.-Iran relations but for broader Middle Eastern stability. Israel has long warned of unilateral military action should Iran approach weapons capability, while Gulf nations are increasingly nervous about an unchecked nuclear Iran.
The European Union, which has maintained diplomatic ties with both parties, has pushed for a peaceful resolution. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the current moment as “fragile but full of opportunity.”
“A return to the JCPOA or a similar framework is not impossible,” Borrell said. “But it will require bravery and flexibility on both sides.”
Looking Ahead
As both sides prepare for another round of high-stakes diplomacy in Rome, the world watches closely. A potential breakthrough could defuse years of nuclear tension and usher in a new era of engagement. But failure could set the stage for further confrontation, destabilizing a region already plagued by conflict.
For now, Iran insists that the ball is in Washington’s court.
“We are here to negotiate, not surrender,” an Iranian official said ahead of Saturday’s talks. “If the United States wants peace, it must act like a responsible global power—not just a partisan battlefield.”
