On May 23, the next round of negotiations between US and Iran's representatives will be held in Rome to settle a long -term dispute over Tehran's nuclear program. Negotiations are restored after a few weeks of exacerbation of rhetoric on both sides, but expectations for significant progress remain restrained.
The main stumbling stone remains the question of uranium enrichment. US Presidential Administration Donald Trump insists on the complete termination of any Uranus enrichment activity in Iran, arguing that enrichment can be used to create nuclear weapons. Special Messenger Steve Witcoff called it a critically important requirement for the US national security.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during the hearing in the Senate, confirmed the inadmissibility of any level of enrichment in Iran, pointing to a direct threat to regional stability. At the same time, Iran's supreme leader Ayatol Ali Khamenei categorically rejected such requirements, calling them "outrageous" and "nonsense". Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi stressed that Iran will continue to enrich uranium "with or without an agreement."
Iranian officials claim that they do not give up diplomacy, but clearly make it clear that uranium enrichment will not change. At the same time, Washington states that they are ready to get out of negotiations if progress is not made.
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the US goal is to prevent Iran's transformation into a nuclear state. Trump also proposes Iran to conclude an agreement whose details are not disclosed, but which will provide for the abolition of economic sanctions against Tehran. At the same time, it did not exclude the possibility of force in the event of a failure of diplomatic efforts.
Iranian authorities, in turn, warn that the US requirement for zero enrichment of uranium may become unacceptable and "put a cross" in negotiations.
Despite the difficulties, both sides have agreed to meet in Rome, which can be an next attempt to reduce tension and find a compromise in a conflict that has been going on for over ten years.
