Fifth round of Iran-US talks conclude in Rome

ROME -- The fifth round of negotiations between Iran and the United States concluded on Friday in Rome, with limited but inconclusive progress, according to the Omani mediator facilitating the talks.

"The fifth round of Iran-US talks has concluded today in Rome with some but not conclusive progress," Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi announced on the social media platform X. "We hope to clarify the remaining issues in the coming days, to allow us to proceed towards the common goal of reaching a sustainable and honorable agreement."

The discussions, held at the Omani Embassy in Italy, lasted over three hours and were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. Oman played the role of indirect mediator throughout the negotiations.

Italian media reported that ongoing tensions between the two nations have centered on uranium enrichment. The Trump administration has reiterated its demand for Iran to halt all uranium enrichment activities, but Tehran rejected the notion of "zero enrichment" and demanded the lifting of economic sanctions.