Rome – Arab Canada News

In a notable diplomatic step reflecting the rising international momentum to resume nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani received his Omani counterpart Badr al-Busaidi on Friday in the capital, Rome. Al-Busaidi plays the role of mediator in these sensitive talks ahead of a new round of anticipated negotiations today, Saturday.

These developments come in the wake of the first round of indirect negotiations hosted by Oman last week, which the parties involved described as "positive," amid hopes of making tangible progress towards reviving the nuclear deal from which Washington withdrew during the presidency of Donald Trump in 2018.

The Italian Foreign Ministry stated in a formal announcement that Minister Tajani “welcomed Omani efforts aimed at facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran,” affirming “Italy's full support for the Omani mediation.” He also emphasized that his country is “prepared to contribute to any additional initiative that promotes peace and stability in the Middle East.”

In a tweet on the “X” platform, Tajani confirmed that Rome “will work to facilitate the upcoming talks,” noting Italy’s “openness to play an active role in bridging the views between the two sides.”

For his part, Omani Minister Badr al-Busaidi expressed his “deep appreciation” for Italy's position, commending Rome's readiness to provide a calm and neutral environment for dialogue, and praising the close cooperation with the Italian Foreign Ministry in this sensitive path.

Tehran Sets Its Red Lines

In a related context, Reuters reported that an Iranian official familiar with the negotiation process stated that Tehran informed Washington during the last round of talks in Muscat of its willingness to accept some technical restrictions on uranium enrichment. However, it demanded “strong guarantees” that the United States, if a new agreement is reached, would not withdraw from it again if the U.S. administration changes.

The Iranian source, who preferred to remain anonymous, noted that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will lead the Iranian delegation in the Rome round and will meet with U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Heitkopf in indirect negotiations through the Omani mediator.

The source explained that Tehran will not concede “the red lines” set by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, foremost among them being: the refusal to dismantle centrifuges, the non-acceptance of reducing the stockpile of enriched uranium below the levels of the 2015 agreement, and the rejection of including its missile program in the negotiation items.

The Iranian official also confirmed that Iran has shown complete readiness to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, with commitments to demonstrate the peacefulness of its nuclear program, but conditioned the lifting of U.S. sanctions on the oil and financial sectors as part of any phased settlement.

Growing Italian Support for the Diplomatic Process

Rome, according to the Italian Foreign Ministry statement, considers that resolving the Iranian nuclear issue is a “key element in regional stability efforts,” emphasizing that Minister Tajani has been in continuous contact for months with his Iranian counterpart and with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, in addition to his direct coordination with the U.S. administration.

It is worth noting that the anticipated round of negotiations in Rome today, Saturday, may open the door for broader engagement of European parties in the process of reviving the nuclear agreement amid escalating regional crises, most notably the war in Gaza, the Syrian file, and the collapse of ceasefire pathways in the region.

The fundamental question being posed by Washington at the negotiating table, according to Axios, is: “Does Iran have the political will to engage in serious dialogue that would spare everyone riskier options?”

The answer to this question may begin to take shape from Rome.