US, Iran agree to 5th round of nuclear talks in Rome, Israeli government not optimistic for breakthrough

Iranian media reported that a fifth round of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington have been scheduled for Friday at noon in Rome, Italy. 

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran was “still weighing whether to attend the next round.” 

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that the regime would engage in indirect talks mediated by Oman, adding that Iran remains "determined and steadfast” to maintain its right to enrich uranium. 

"We will spare no effort or initiative in this regard,” the spokesman stated. 

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi affirmed that the two sides had agreed to meet, posting a message on 𝕏 confirming that a fifth round of Iran-American talks will take place in Rome, Italy on Friday.

Meanwhile, in a message posted on 𝕏, Araghchi warned the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran believes Israel is preparing to strike its nuclear facilities. The message came in response to a report published by Axios, in which U.S. intelligence officials claimed to have identified Israeli military preparations for such an operation.

“Threats from the rogue Israeli regime are nothing new,” Araghchi wrote. “But the recent leak citing US officials as divulging Israeli plans for an unlawful attack on Iran and its nuclear facilities is alarming and warrants immediate and serious condemnation from the UN Security Council and the IAEA.” 

Hebrew news site, Walla, reported that Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad Director David Barnea will also meet with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Rome to address Israeli concerns and to reaffirm Israel’s insistence on preventing the development of a nuclear weapon. 

According to Walla, Israeli intelligence officials believe the nuclear talks could soon collapse if the U.S. maintains its position against uranium enrichment. If the talks do collapse, Israel is preparing to strike on Iranian nuclear facilities with or without American support. 

IDF officials believe the window of opportunity for such a strike could close very soon, mandating a swift decision by Israeli leaders, Walla reported.

In a recent interview with Breitbart News, Witkoff said enrichment is a red line for the United States.

“An enrichment program can never exist in the state of Iran ever again. That’s our red line. No enrichment,” he stated. 

However, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism for a deal. On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “The president believes (US-Iran negotiation) is moving along in the right direction.”

She continued: “As the president told me, and he's told all of you, this deal with Iran could end in two ways: it could end in a very positive diplomatic solution, or it could end in a very negative situation for Iran. So that's why these talks are taking place later this week.” 

In a statement released on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and Trump had agreed to ensure Iran never obtains nuclear weapons. 

Following the murder of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, the two leaders on Thursday discussing the shooting, the war in Gaza, and the nuclear talks, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). 

“The Prime Minister and President Trump agreed on the need to ensure that Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons,” the PMO stated.