ROME In a significant development regarding Tehrans nuclear ambitions, Iran and the United States have agreed to initiate expert-level discussions aimed at paving the way for a potential agreement on Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. This announcement was made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday, following a productive second round of negotiations held in Rome.

The talks, characterized by a constructive atmosphere, involved Araghchi meeting with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff for several hours. According to Araghchi, these initial discussions are set to continue in Oman, where experts from both nations will convene prior to another meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff scheduled for April 26. While no immediate statement has been released from the U.S. delegation, the engagement reflects a notable shift in dialogue between the two nations, which have had a fraught relationship since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran.

Reflecting on the meeting, Araghchi told Iranian state television, The talks were held in a constructive environment, and I can say that we are making progress. I hope that we will be in a better position after the technical talks. He further expressed optimism about reaching a mutual understanding regarding essential principles and goals moving forward.

Important to note is the indirect nature of these discussions, akin to the previous meetings held in Muscat, Oman, where Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi acted as an intermediary, facilitating communication between both parties as they remained in separate rooms during the talks.

This moment signifies a historic shift given the long-standing animosity between the U.S. and Iran, especially following the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal established in 2015. Former President Donald Trump's decision to unilaterally exit the agreement in 2018 ignited a series of confrontations and failed negotiations aimed at restoring a deal that had significantly curtailed Iran's uranium enrichment activities in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions.

As discussions progress, the backdrop of rising tensions in the Middle East adds urgency to the situation. There are mounting fears of a potential military strike by the U.S. or Israel on Irans nuclear facilities, or alternatively, Iran's escalation towards developing an atomic weapon. These uncertainties have been further intensified by recent conflicts, notably the ongoing violence related to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as well as U.S. airstrikes that have targeted Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, claiming numerous lives.

During a press conference, Trump reiterated his stance, declaring, Im for stopping Iran, very simply, from having a nuclear weapon. I want Iran to be great and prosperous and terrific.

Additionally, ahead of the talks, Araghchi held discussions with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, emphasizing Italys readiness to facilitate further talks, including technical discussions if necessary. Tajani remarked on the importance of building a diplomatic resolution, stating, A diplomat deal is built patiently, day after day, with dialogue and mutual respect.

Both Araghchi and Witkoff have recently been engaged in diplomatic travels; Witkoff was in Paris discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine, while Araghchi visited Moscow for meetings with various officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. Given Russias role as one of the key players in the 2015 nuclear deal, its involvement may be vital in any future agreements between Tehran and Washington. Analysts have speculated that Moscow could potentially manage Irans enriched uranium, currently at 60% purity, which is a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

The initial negotiations in Oman also witnessed Iran seizing upon comments made by Witkoff regarding uranium enrichment limits, leading Iranian officials to assert their position firmly. Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, communicated via social media before the talks that Iran would not agree to dismantle its enrichment program or depend on foreign-enriched uranium, stating, Iran has come for a balanced agreement, not a surrender.

Domestically, Iran's political landscape remains volatile, particularly concerning issues such as the mandatory hijab, which has led to widespread protests among women defying the law in Tehran. Economic challenges persist as well, exemplified by the Iranian rial's recent depreciation, which fell to over 1 million to a U.S. dollar. However, the ongoing negotiations have provided a glimmer of hope for economic stabilization, with the rial showing signs of recovery.

In a related development, two used Airbus A330-200 aircraft, previously owned by Chinas Hainan Airlines, recently arrived at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport. These planes, which had been re-registered to Iran, feature Rolls-Royce engines that contain significant American parts. The sale required U.S. Treasury approval, given the sanctions in place on Iran, and both the State Department and Treasury have remained silent on inquiries regarding this transaction.

Under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran had the opportunity to purchase new aircraft, leading to multi-billion-dollar agreements with major manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing. However, following Trumps exit from the accord, these agreements were effectively nullified, leaving Irans aviation sector in a state of uncertainty.