US aimed at setting ‘realistic’ terms during Iran talks – RT source

The US delegation attempted to present “realistic” demands to Iran during Omani-mediated negotiations in Rome on Saturday, an informed source told RT.

The delegations, led by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, sat in separate rooms as Omani mediators relayed messages between them. The talks came two weeks after US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with “bombing” unless an agreement on its nuclear program was reached.

An informed source familiar with the talks told RT that “the American delegation tried to set its demands realistically in the second round of negotiations.”

“We made very good progress in our direct and indirect discussions,” a US official told CBS News.

Araghchi wrote on X that the “relatively positive atmosphere in Rome has enabled progress on principles and objectives of a possible deal.” He added that many in Tehran believe the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, is “no longer good enough for us.”

US President Donald Trump abandoned the JCPOA during his first term in office, accusing the Islamic Republic of secretly violating the deal. Trump reimposed sanctions on Iran and, in February, formally renewed his “maximum pressure” campaign. Iran has denied any wrongdoing but has since rolled back its commitments under the JCPOA, increasing its enrichment of uranium.

“Iran’s nuclear program is completely peaceful, and Iran is ready to dispel any doubts in this regard,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Saturday.

Technical experts are scheduled to meet again ahead of the next round of negotiations between Witkoff and Araghchi in Oman on April 26, according to the Iranian foreign minister.