Iran agrees to hold nuclear talks with US

TEHRAN - Iran has agreed to Oman's proposal for holding the fifth round of indirect nuclear talks with the United States in Rome on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Baghaei said that the Iranian negotiating team was steadfast in pursuing and safeguarding the nation's rights and interests regarding the peaceful use of nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment and removal of the cruel sanctions, and would spare no effort or initiative to achieve those ends.

Facilitated by Oman, Iranian and US delegations have so far held four rounds of indirect talks since April on Tehran's nuclear program and the lifting of US sanctions. The fourth round was held in Muscat on May 11.

In recent days, US officials have repeatedly demanded that Iran completely cease uranium enrichment, a request firmly rejected by Tehran.