Latest round of US-Iran nuclear talks ends in Rome

Iran’s foreign minister described nuclear talks with the United States as “complicated’, following the conclusion of a fifth round of discussions in Rome on Friday.

- 

The talks, which began in April, are the highest-level contact between the foes since the United States quit a landmark 2015 nuclear accord during President Donald Trump's first term.

Since returning to office, Mr Trump has revived his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran, backing talks but warning of military action if diplomacy fails.

Iran wants a new deal that would ease the sanctions which have battered its economy.

“The negotiations are too complicated to be resolved in two or three meetings,’ Iranian Foreign Minister and lead negotiator Abbas Araghchi said, as the Oman-mediated talks concluded.

A senior US official nonetheless described the talks as “constructive” and said the two sides agreed to meet again.

“The discussions were both direct and indirect, and lasted over two hours. The talks continue to be constructive — we made further progress, but there is still work to be done,” the official said.