Trump hints at breakthrough in US-Iran nuclear talks after “real progress” in Rome

On May 25, President Donald Trump expressed cautious optimism about the ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, noting “real progress” and suggesting “good news” could come later this week.

Trump’s remarks follow a tense week in which U.S. and Iranian officials publicly outlined conflicting red lines regarding uranium enrichment on Iranian soil — a key sticking point that had threatened to derail the talks, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

However, the president’s comments suggest that the impasse may be nearing a resolution after the fifth round of negotiations in Rome on May 23.

The developments come as Israel reportedly continues to prepare for a possible military strike on Iranian nuclear sites if the diplomatic process collapses.

Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Trump said: “We had some very good talks with Iran and let's see what happens, but I think we could have some good news on the Iran front.” He added that the talks in Rome yielded “real and serious progress” and indicated that further developments might be expected within days.

“I have a feeling I might be telling you something good. We've had some real progress, serious progress. ... I would love to see no bombs dropped and a lot of people dead. I really would like to see that happen. And I think there's a good chance that it could happen,” he said.

The latest round of discussions occurred in Rome on May 23, where White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Following the meeting, a U.S. official described the atmosphere as productive, while noting that challenges remain.

While the talks were described as constructive, they remain deadlocked over a key issue: Iran's insistence on maintaining domestic uranium enrichment — a demand the U.S. continues to reject. Washington has made clear that enrichment is a red line, stalling hopes of a breakthrough.

As negotiations falter, regional tensions are rising. Israel, long opposed to any Iranian nuclear capability, is accelerating preparations for a potential strike on Iranian nuclear sites. A source familiar with Israeli planning said that officials believe their operational window may be closing fast.

After the Rome talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the discussions “very complicated,” saying further negotiations were needed. He noted that Oman’s al-Busaidi had proposed ideas to help bridge the gap.

The U.S. State Department confirmed that special envoy Steve Witkoff and planning director Michael Anton held more than two hours of direct and indirect talks with the Iranian delegation. “We made further progress, but there is still work to be done,” the department said, adding that both sides agreed to meet again soon.

In a parallel diplomatic track, Witkoff met in Rome with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea — a meeting that highlighted Israel’s scepticism of the diplomatic effort and its readiness for military options.

Amid rising uncertainty, Iran on May 22 threatened to relocate its nuclear materials to undisclosed sites — a move likely aimed at complicating any Israeli strike and raising the stakes further.

By Aghakazim Guliyev