Iran and US move to expert-level talks after 'good meeting' in Rome

The Iranian foreign minister said on Saturday that nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States were "moving forward" after a positive meeting.
The US and Iran concluded a second round of talks on Tehran's nuclear programme in Rome, a week after holding indirect talks in Muscat that both sides described as constructive.
Iran, which says its nuclear programme is peaceful, says it is willing to discuss some limitations to its atomic work in return for lifting international sanctions.
Aragchi negotiated for almost four hours in Rome with US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, through an Omani official who shuttled messages between them.
Iran and the United States agreed to have task experts start drawing up a framework for a potential nuclear deal. Aragchi said experts will meet on Wednesday in Oman before he meets with Witkoff again on 26 April.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
"It was a good meeting, and I can say that the negotiations are moving forward. This time we managed to reach a better understanding on a series of principles and goals," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state TV.
"I hope that we will be in a better position after the technical talks."
Trump, who abandoned a 2015 nuclear pact between Tehran and world powers during his first term in 2018, has threatened to attack Iran unless it reaches a new deal swiftly that would prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.