US, Iran to Hold Second Round of Nuclear Talks in Rome Amidst High-Stakes Diplomacy

The United States and Iran are expected to hold their second round of nuclear talks this Saturday in Rome, following a constructive meeting in Oman over the weekend, according to sources familiar with the matter, as per Bloomberg.

This renewed diplomatic effort comes after months of escalating rhetoric and threats, with President Trump signaling a desire to resolve differences through dialogue and diplomacy.

The talks coincide with a visit to Italy by US Vice President JD Vance, although it remains unclear whether he will directly participate. Vance is considered one of the more dovish members of the Trump administration regarding military action against Iran, having previously stated that a war with the Islamic Republic would be “massively expensive” and a “huge distraction of resources.”

The first meeting in Muscat, Oman, was headed by Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s main Middle East envoy, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Both sides described the meeting as constructive, and the agreement to meet again in Rome within a week signaled a potential easing of tensions.

Witkoff reportedly conveyed to Araghchi instructions from Trump “to resolve our two nations’ differences through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible.”

News of the continued talks boosted Iran’s economy, with the country’s currency and stocks rallying on Sunday.

The diplomatic momentum extends beyond the US-Iran talks. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, is scheduled to visit Tehran on Wednesday, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Further, Araghchi is expected to travel to Moscow later in the week to continue parallel nuclear talks with Russian officials.

President Trump has prioritized curbing Iran’s nuclear program and ensuring it never develops atomic weapons, a goal Tehran insists it doesn’t pursue. As part of his “maximum pressure” strategy, the Trump administration has ramped up sanctions on Iran, particularly targeting its oil industry. In addition, Bloomberg reported last week that the administration has been working with Israel on potential attack scenarios should diplomacy fail, including deploying more American bombers to a US base on Diego Garcia.

While Trump has expressed optimism that diplomacy can prevail, he has also indicated he doesn’t want negotiations to drag on beyond a few months.

Italy, long recognized for its role as an intermediary in Middle Eastern affairs and its strong relationships with Iran, Israel, Arab countries, and the US, is playing a crucial role in hosting these talks. Last year, Italy hosted a meeting of Egyptian, Israeli, Qatari and US officials to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to meet with President Trump in the US on Thursday to discuss trade and security. She will also meet with Vice President Vance in Rome on Friday, just before the US-Iran talks, according to her office.

The US State Department and the Iranian embassy in Rome did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Axios previously reported the planned meeting in Rome.