Iran Pursues Comprehensive Deal

ROME, SATURDAY - The second round of negotiations between Iran and the United States in Italy has once again concluded without a concrete agreement. Tehran and Washington DC only agreed to continue the negotiations and technical discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program. For Iran, the obstacles to reaching an agreement lie with Israel.

Negotiations were held at the Embassy of Oman in Rome, Italy, on Saturday (19/4/2025). The first round of negotiations took place in the capital of Oman, Muscat, last weekend.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman announced that Iran and the United States have agreed to continue negotiations next week. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi stated that technical officials and experts from Iran and the United States will meet soon.

He stated that the discussions showed progress. "I hope there will be a better position after the technical discussions. This time, we have managed to achieve a better understanding of several key principles and objectives," he said.

Like in Muscat, the negotiations in Rome also did not involve direct meetings. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi and his team acted as messengers. Meanwhile, the Iranian and U.S. delegations were in separate rooms. They exchanged letters even though they were both within the complex of the Omani Embassy in Rome.

The format was chosen because the US and Iran have a significant lack of trust in each other. With a written format, each request and response is clearly recorded by both parties. There is no room for differing interpretations.

The head of the US delegation, Steve Witkoff, once stated that Iran could continue to enrich uranium up to a maximum of 3.67 percent. This enrichment level is the same as that established in the Iran Nuclear Agreement or JCPOA 2015.

However, in 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump decided to withdraw the United States from the painstakingly negotiated agreement. Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted to persuading Trump to pull the U.S. out of the JCPOA.

Now, Trump is once again seeking to reach an agreement regarding Iran's nuclear program. Not only that, several civil officials in the Trump administration oppose Israel's desire to launch a large-scale attack on various Iranian nuclear facilities. Conversely, several U.S. generals actually agree with Israel's intentions.

So far, Trump has chosen to follow the advice of civilian officials. Nevertheless, he remains open to the possibility of attacking Iran if negotiations fail to reach an agreement.

Meanwhile, although agreeing to negotiations, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains very cautious. He stated that the United States is always inconsistent in its stance. "We are very pessimistic about the other party, but we are optimistic about our own capabilities," he said.

Former spokesman for Iran's nuclear negotiating team Seyyed Hossein Moussavian, as reported by Foreign Policy, said that these negotiations are very important and should not be wasted. The negotiations can not only reorganize Iran's nuclear program. The negotiations can also rebuild the situation in the Middle East.

"The agreement to avoid the potential outbreak of war, to address a series of issues comprehensively, and to offer Iran a realistic compromise regarding its nuclear program could serve as a broad framework for the negotiation process," said Mousavian.

He stated that Western countries are indeed trying to pressure Iran through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). On the other hand, Iran has consistently demonstrated its readiness for transparency regarding its nuclear program. Tehran is prepared to accept maximum verification of its nuclear program.

“In fact, we offered a deal to Europe: Respect Iran’s peaceful nuclear rights under the NPT (non-proliferation treaty), and Iran would offer comprehensive guarantees against weaponization. But the talks failed because the United States refused to recognize any form of Iranian enrichment—even within the limits of the agreement,” he said.

Iran has demonstrated its readiness to comply with international norms regarding nuclear issues when it agreed to the JCPOA in 2015. Unfortunately, the United States withdrew from the agreement. "Although Iran complied, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, which triggered a maximum pressure campaign," said Mousavian.

He believes that negotiations will succeed if the US is truly willing to engage in diplomacy, adhere to the terms of the agreement, and avoid war. "A war with Iran would be far more devastating. Trump must abandon the binary of 'agreement or war' and commit to diplomacy as the only viable path," he stated.

In addition, Mousavian also proposed that there should be a comprehensive agenda discussed in the negotiations. The issues include the integration of Iran's economy into the international community, a realistic nuclear agreement, and regional de-escalation.

"Iran must enjoy the benefits of a peaceful nuclear program as compensation for the stringent verification process. As compensation, Iran may also consider reducing enrichment from 60 percent to below 5 percent, including not reprocessing uranium," he suggested.

Ali Samkhani, a political advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei, was quoted by the IRNA news agency stating that the Iranian negotiating team has been granted full autonomy to represent the interests of the country. There are nine principles upheld by the negotiating team in pursuit of a comprehensive agreement with the United States.

The principles are seriousness, certainty, balance, lifting sanctions, rejection of the Libya/Emirates model, avoidance of threats, speed, containment of disruptions (such as Israel), and facilitation of investment. "Iran is there for a balanced agreement, not to surrender," he said.

The potential for an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities cannot be overlooked. For Israel, the current negotiations will not eliminate the threat.

Netanyahu insisted that every nuclear negotiation with Iran must lead to the complete disarmament of Iran's nuclear capabilities. Furthermore, Iran should not have a nuclear program for civilian purposes.

Israel wants Iran to follow in the footsteps of Libya, which completely halted all of its nuclear programs. This request was made by Israel, which does not comply with international laws and norms regarding nuclear bomb control.

Israel keeps its nuclear program under wraps. No one is allowed to monitor it, not even the US.

Iran's generals and security officials know that Israel is always ready to attack Iran's nuclear program. Therefore, Tehran is always on alert.

Netanyahu, according to an Iranian official who requested anonymity, needs Israel to always be in a state of war. A peaceful Israel with its neighbors would mean the end of Netanyahu's power. Therefore, Netanyahu will always seek ways to attack the countries surrounding Israel.

Iran's readiness to face foreign attacks was demonstrated through a military parade on Friday (18/4). The parade took place a day before negotiations in Rome.

Iran showcased ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and explosive drones. All of Iran's weaponry has been tested in the battlefield. (AP/AFP)