Amid Positive Rhetoric, Fifth Round of Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Concludes in Rome

ROME — The fifth round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States concluded in the Italian capital this week, with both sides expressing cautious optimism about the outcome. 

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the latest discussions as “the most professional round yet,” while American officials characterized the three-hour meeting as “constructive.” 

According to sources familiar with the talks, both delegations focused on setting the framework for a potential new agreement over Tehran’s nuclear program, though negotiations on key technical issues were postponed for future sessions. The details were first reported by The Wall Street Journal. 

In what appeared to be a significant development, Iranian negotiators proposed the formation of a trilateral nuclear consortium. Under the plan, Iran would enrich uranium only to low levels—below weapons-grade thresholds—and then transfer it to certain Arab countries for civilian use, according to Iranian officials. 

Those same officials signaled Tehran’s willingness to reduce enrichment levels to the limit set in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—just above 3 percent. That level is suitable for nuclear power generation, but far below what is needed for weaponization. 

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a recent podcast interview, reiterated Washington’s firm stance that Iran should not be allowed to enrich uranium domestically. “They can import enriched uranium for peaceful purposes, just like other nations do,” he said. 

Uranium enrichment remains the primary sticking point in the talks. U.S. negotiator Richard Witkoff has insisted that even minimal enrichment on Iranian soil is unacceptable, a position Tehran rejects. Iranian officials argue such demands violate international agreements and infringe on their sovereign right to a civilian nuclear program. 

The diplomatic path forward remains uncertain, but the mutual willingness to engage—paired with Iran’s new proposal—has injected fresh momentum into a negotiation long plagued by deep mistrust and competing red lines.