The second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran will take place in Rome on Saturday, April 19, according to the American newspaper Axios, citing its sources.
According to the newspaper, the Trump administration was satisfied with the first round of talks in Oman, which took place as planned and achieved their goal.
US Representative Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke for about 45 minutes on Saturday, longer than announced.
The sources said the talks began in an atmosphere of distrust: the Iranian side drew attention to President Trump’s abandonment of the previous deal with Iran and expressed concern that the United States could withdraw from it again.
The US has expressed doubts about Iran’s intentions regarding its nuclear program.
But officials on both sides said they saw progress after hours of talks.
The US has suggested that one confidence-building measure could be reducing Iran’s stockpile of uranium, which is enriched to near weapons-grade levels of 60%, enough to make six nuclear bombs.
Although the second round of talks will not take place in Oman, Omani mediators will attend the Rome talks.
In addition to meeting with Trump, an Israeli official said Witkoff briefed Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, on the talks’ results. Israel is highly skeptical that the talks will lead to an agreement and has insisted that the White House should choose a military option if they fail.
