US President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Sunday about the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran, calling the latest talks “very, very good” and signaling potential breakthroughs soon.
Speaking at Morristown airport before boarding Air Force One, Trump praised what he described as “real progress, serious progress” following the fifth round of talks held in Rome, which concluded on Friday. These negotiations, mediated by Oman, mark the highest-level engagement between the two countries since the US withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during Trump’s first presidential term.
The talks, which began in April, aim to revive the nuclear agreement that once limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for relief from crippling international sanctions. Since re-entering office, Trump has pursued a “maximum pressure” strategy on Iran—supporting diplomatic efforts but warning that military action remains an option if talks fail.
Iran, eager to ease sanctions that have heavily impacted its economy, seeks a new deal. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi tempered expectations by noting that “the negotiations are too complicated to be resolved in two or three meetings.”
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi echoed this caution, tweeting that the fifth round ended with “some but not conclusive progress,” expressing hope that outstanding issues would be addressed in upcoming discussions.
Trump remained positive, suggesting that an announcement regarding the talks could be made within the next couple of days.
The renewed negotiations come ahead of an important June session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which will review Iran’s nuclear activities. They also occur before the October expiration of the original 2015 deal designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons—a claim Tehran denies despite suspicions from the US and EU.
Since the US withdrew from the accord in 2018 and reinstated sanctions, Iran has escalated its nuclear program, enriching uranium up to 60 percent—well above the original 3.67 percent limit but still below the 90 percent required for weapon-grade material.
As both sides navigate these complex discussions, global attention remains focused on the outcome, which could have far-reaching implications for international security and diplomatic relations.
