Nuclear talks in Rome: Iran's doubts and Trump's threat in focus!

Nuclear talks in Rome: Iran's doubts and Trump's threat in focus!

The current nuclear negotiations between the USA and Iran will take place in Rome on April 18, 2025. These talks, mediated by Oman, aim to reach a new agreement on Iran's nuclear program. Given the tense geopolitical situation, Western countries are accusing Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons, which Tehran vehemently denies. The negotiations follow a series of political tensions after the US unilaterally withdrew from the international nuclear agreement (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)) in 2018 under the administration of Donald Trump.

Trump has warned in the past of military consequences if these negotiations fail. After the first round of talks in Muscat, both sides described the discussions as "constructive," but Iran expressed "serious doubts" about Washington's intentions. As part of the talks, Washington is calling for a return to uranium enrichment to a maximum of 3.67 percent and extensive access permission for international inspectors.

Trust and insecurities

Iran, on the other hand, insists on its right to use nuclear energy peacefully and rejects a complete abandonment of uranium enrichment. Amid these tensions, Tehran is also demanding guarantees that the US will not unilaterally withdraw from a new agreement again. International observers are skeptical about the prospects of success of these negotiations, with mutual distrust growing due to US sanctions and Trump's threats. Regional security experts point out that without confidence-building measures, there is little chance of a sustained breakthrough.

A rich context to the nuclear talks emerges when one considers the history of the nuclear deal. The diplomatic success in Vienna in July 2015 resulted from twelve years of negotiations in which Iran committed to significantly reducing its nuclear activities. This was in exchange for a gradual lifting of economic sanctions by the UN, EU and US. Despite the fact that this contract is formally valid until October 2025, current developments have complicated the situation again.

Current developments and challenges

After the US withdrew from the agreement, Iran began enriching uranium beyond permitted levels while limiting controls by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Recent reports show that Iran has significantly increased its enrichment to 60 percent. According to an IAEA report, as of early February, Iran had nearly 275 kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent, a dramatic increase. These amounts, if enriched to 90 percent, could theoretically be enough to produce a nuclear weapon.

In addition to the technical aspects, the economic situation in Iran is worrying. Iran's currency, the rial, has lost value and is at a record low. This severe financial and economic crisis is weighing on the country and creating a dilemma for the Iranian government: while facing an ideological rejection of negotiations with the US, it must at the same time keep an eye on economic realities.

In conclusion, the upcoming negotiations are crucial for both the US and Iran. Political and military tensions in the region are high, and while Iran is in talks with both Western states as well as Russia and China, it remains to be seen to what extent both sides are willing to make concessions and find a mutually acceptable path.

For further information on the background to the negotiations and the geopolitical situation in Iran, we recommend the articles from Cosmo, bpb and daily news.