Experts to Draft Initial Framework for US-Iran Nuclear Deal on Wednesday

The United States and Iran agreed to ask experts to produce a framework for a possible nuclear deal after their second round of indirect talks in Rome, a sign of tentative steps in dismantling hostility that has engulfed their relations for years. Negotiations, mediated by Oman, took place with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff engaging over four hours in Rome, mediated by Oman.

Araqchi characterized the dialogue with the United States as "constructive," announcing that experts will formally meet to negotiate in Oman on Wednesday to better understand a draft agreement. He said that the two top negotiators will meet again on Saturday to evaluate the progress.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, but since the U.S. withdrew from the Nuclear Deal with Iran in January 2018 under President Donald Trump, it has exceeded the enrichment limits established in the 2015 deal.

Iran seeks sanctions relief and guarantees that the U.S. will not walk away from any new deal in the future, while insisting it will not dismantle any centrifuges or lower its enriched uranium stockpile to the level it was prior to the 2015 agreement.