Iran receives proposal on time, venue for fifth round of nuclear talks with US

Iran has received a proposal regarding the time and location for the fifth round of negotiations with the United States aimed at resolving the issue surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.

"We have received a proposal regarding the next round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, which is currently under review," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said, Caliber.Az reports per IRNA.

Earlier, on May 19, The Wall Street Journal correspondent Laurence Norman revealed that the fifth round of talks between the two countries might take place in Rome from May 24 to 25.

On May 11, the fourth round of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States was held in the Omani capital, Muscat, with Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs describing them as “difficult but useful”. After about three hours of negotiations, spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described the talks as “difficult but useful talks to better understand each other’s positions and to find reasonable and realistic ways to address the differences”.

On May 16, US President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face “something bad” if it did not quickly accept a US proposal regarding its nuclear program.

One notable point of contention has been the scope of Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities. US envoy Steve Witkoff and other US officials have previously offered mixed messages on this issue. 

A senior adviser to Khamenei told NBC News on May 14 that Iran is open to a deal allowing only low-level enrichment for civilian purposes. The agreement would also require Iran to give up its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium under international inspection, in exchange for the full lifting of sanctions.

By Sabina Mammadli