U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced on Sunday that he believes a new round of indirect talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program may take place this week in Rome.
In an interview with ABC News, Witkoff claimed he had delivered a written letter from President Donald Trump intended for Iranian officials. However, Tehran has denied receiving any such letter.
The meeting would mark the fifth round of indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran, aimed at reaching a deal on Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities and the possible easing of U.S. sanctions.
On Friday, Iranian officials met in Istanbul with representatives from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—collectively known as the E3—to discuss recent developments in the talks with the United States.
During his interview, Witkoff reiterated a hardline stance, stating that Iran must not be allowed to maintain any uranium enrichment capability.
“We have one very clear red line, and that is enrichment. We cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability,” Witkoff said.
He added that this position had been conveyed to Iran in written form.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed Witkoff’s remarks, calling them “completely detached from the reality of the negotiations,” and emphasized that Iran would continue enriching uranium with or without an agreement.
Iran has indicated a willingness to limit enrichment to 3.67%—a level sufficient for civilian energy purposes—and to allow international inspectors access to its nuclear facilities. Both Trump and Witkoff had previously expressed openness to such terms. However, in recent weeks, they have shifted to a zero-enrichment position, with Trump recently stating that Iran’s enrichment sites could be “blown up—nicely with a deal or viciously without one.”
Although both sides have voiced support for continued dialogue and claimed some progress, entrenched positions on enrichment make the future of negotiations uncertain.
In a recent development, U.S. B-52 stealth bombers previously deployed to Diego Garcia have been withdrawn, along with the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman, which has left the region with no plans to return. These moves suggest the Trump administration may be retreating from the threat of military action and leaning instead toward increasing sanctions if an agreement is not reached.