Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that he hopes a deal can be reached with the United States, as the two countries prepare for a second round of nuclear talks this weekend.
“We would naturally welcome the conclusion of an agreement†with the US, Iran’s official IRNA news agency quoted Pezeshkian as saying during a cabinet meeting.
The first round of talks, held last Saturday in Oman’s capital Muscat, was led by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States will be held on Saturday in Italy and not Oman, Iranian state media reported.
Next Saturday, the Omani foreign ministry will host the second round of Iran-US nuclear talks in Rome, according to Iranian official television.
Iranian officials had insisted that the negotiations would take place in Oman, while European officials had previously stated that they would take place in Rome.
The Italian foreign ministry confirmed to AFP on Wednesday that the negotiations would take place in Rome.
Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, seemed to object to the negotiations’ new venue in a post on X.
He said that it can “be seen as a lack of seriousness and good faith.” “In diplomacy, such a move, promoted by extremist elements lacking an understanding of logic or the art of reasonable negotiation, can jeopardize any beginning,” he warned.
