Rome: The American website Axios revealed that a second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran is expected to be held in the Italian capital, Rome. Axios reported, citing two informed sources, that “a second round of talks is expected to be held next Saturday in Rome.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Donald Trump administration expressed satisfaction with the first round of talks in Oman, which proceeded according to plan and achieved its goal of changing the format of the talks from indirect-through intermediaries-to direct talks, with officials speaking directly. The US administration wants the next round of talks in Rome to proceed in the same manner, noting that the US side was the one who suggested the change of venue.

It added, “The two main negotiators, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, spoke for approximately 45 minutes on Saturday-longer than has been publicly disclosed.” A source described the conversation, the highest-level dialogu
e between US and Iranian officials in eight years, as “substantive, serious, and excellent.” He continued, saying that ‘the Iranians raised the issue of President Trump’s withdrawal from the previous nuclear agreement and expressed concern about a new withdrawal.’

In turn, the Americans raised doubts about Iran’s intentions regarding its nuclear program. However, officials from both sides said they saw a path forward after several hours of talks on Saturday.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that the upcoming talks, scheduled for the end of next week, would remain “indirect,” mediated by Oman, and would focus exclusively on the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions.