Negotiations in Rome time; Iran's resolve against America's contradictory statements

The fifth round, part of a process that began on April 12, 2025, mediated by Oman in Muscat, had its own distinct characteristics, like the previous four rounds.

The announcement of the fifth round in Rome, Italy, on Friday, May 23, 2025, came despite contradictory statements and conflicting remarks from U.S. officials regarding enrichment and media-driven claims about potential Israeli adventurism, which failed to alter Iran's stance or approach.

In this context, Iran's negotiating team, led by Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Rome on Friday morning. The delegation included Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Kazem Gharib Abadi, Deputy for Legal and International Affairs, and Esmaeil Baghaei, Foreign Ministry Spokesman, alongside a group of legal, political, and economic experts.

The U.S. negotiating team, led by Steve Witkoff, the U.S. President's representative for Middle East affairs, also arrived in Rome on Friday for the fifth round of indirect talks. These negotiations were heavily influenced by the contradictory statements from U.S. officials, prompting Iran to repeatedly emphasize its unwavering red line on enrichment.

Meanwhile, hours before the fifth round began, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, in a post on the social media platform X, responded to the U.S. extension of anti-Iran sanctions, describing them as illegal and inhumane, stating: "On the eve of the fifth round of negotiations, this action further questions the U.S.'s commitment and seriousness toward diplomacy."

Araghchi, in the hours leading up to the fifth round, issued a brief warning to the U.S. negotiating team: "Finding a path to an agreement is not a complex equation: zero nuclear weapons = we have a deal; zero enrichment = no deal; the time for decision-making has come."

These statements, consistent with Iran's firm, transparent, and clear approach to indirect negotiations, reaffirmed the goals and frameworks Iran established for entering these talks.

The U.S. side's contradictions led Iran's negotiating team to begin this round with serious complaints, directly criticizing the U.S. for its inconsistent positions and for bringing the negotiation table into the media spotlight.

Oman's Foreign Minister, Badr Al Busaidi, announced the conclusion of the fifth round on Friday evening, noting "some progress, but without a final outcome." He expressed hope that resolving the remaining issues in the coming days would lead both sides toward a sustainable and respectful agreement.

According to reports, Oman's Foreign Minister proposed solutions and ideas, the outlines of which were discussed in this round. It was agreed that, alongside further review in the capitals, he would continue refining the details of these proposals and share them with both sides for further evaluation.

Araghchi, at the conclusion of the fifth round, described it as one of the most professional rounds of negotiations, stating: "We once again articulated Iran's positions and principles; our stance is completely clear, and we stand firm on it."

He noted that a clearer understanding of Iran's positions had been conveyed to the U.S. side, and both parties would take the discussed proposals and ideas back to their capitals for further review. He added: "Oman's Foreign Minister presented proposals that both sides will subject to further expert analysis and transfer to their capitals, without any commitments from either side at this stage."

According to Araghchi, both sides will provide their views on these proposals and solutions, and the next round of talks will be arranged accordingly.

The head of Iran's negotiating team also expressed hope that the next round would delve into greater detail.

Complaints, negotiations, and an agreement to continue talks characterized the fifth round, reflecting Iran's firm commitment to diplomacy despite the U.S.'s zigzag and contradictory positions, which cloud the prospects for future negotiations.

Nevertheless, the conclusion of the fifth round and the agreement to continue talks indicate that U.S. efforts to bypass Iran's red line on enrichment have failed, and Iran's warning to the U.S. regarding zero enrichment has proven effective.

A review of the four previous rounds of indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. reveals a clear pattern: the U.S. repeatedly shifts its stance and issues contradictory statements. Whether this is to influence U.S. public opinion or appease domestic opponents, Washington must find a solution to this issue and refrain from bringing it to the negotiation table.

Similarly, the news of a meeting between Ron Dermer, Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs, and David Barnea, Mossad chief, with Witkoff on Friday on the sidelines of the indirect talks with Iran in Rome, while not unprecedented, suggests that Israel, amid its multiple internal crises, is attempting to obstruct negotiations by exerting influence over the U.S.

Establishing a framework for reaching an agreement has become the biggest challenge in the indirect negotiations between Iran and the U.S., a matter with critical details requiring more serious discussions.

Since the start of the negotiations, Iran has repeatedly emphasized the importance of agreeing on a framework as a key step toward a final agreement. Finding a middle ground and reaching a consensus on it remains the greatest challenge.

According to Baghaei, while further challenges are expected as negotiations progress, Iran's delegation remains steadfast in pursuing the country's and people's positions.

In contrast, Washington must recognize the challenging nature of the negotiations and Iran's commitment to diplomacy, refraining from adding further obstacles to the diplomatic process to reduce the distrust caused by its past breaches of commitments.