Iran and the United States are expected to start a fifth round of high-risk nuclear negotiations in Rome on Friday (23) amid the growing skepticism in Tehran on the chances of an agreement as Washington hardens his position.
Two Iranian sources told CNN That negotiations seem unlikely to lead to a resolution, with the US insisting that Tehran dismantles its uranium enrichment program – a requirement that, according to Iranian authorities, would cause nuclear negotiations.
The sources stated that Iran’s participation in Rome’s negotiations aims only to evaluate Washington’s latest position, and not seeking a possible advance.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araye reiterated Tehran’s red lines before leaving for Italy on Friday (23).
“Finding the way to a deal is not a rocket science,” he posted on social network X before the flight. “Zero Nuclear Weapons = We have an agreement. Zero Enrichment = We don’t have a deal.”
Set to Travel to Rome for 5th Round of Indirect Talks with the United States.
Costume out the path to a deal is not rocket science:
Zero Nuclear Weapons = We do have a deal.
Zero enrichment = we do not have a deal.Time to decide…
– Seyed Abbas Araye (@araghi) May 22, 2025
The Trump administration demanded that Iran interrupts all uranium enrichment activity, which, according to American negotiator Steve Witkoff, “enables transformation into a weapon.”
Uranium, an essential nuclear fuel, can be used to build a pump if enriched at high levels.
Iran states that its nuclear program is peaceful and claims to be willing to commit not to enrich uranium to weapons as part of an agreement.
Speaking on Thursday (22), Araye said the country is open to monitoring reinforced by international inspectors, but will not give up its right to seek nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment.
Washington is offering to reduce paralyzing economic sanctions in exchange for denuclearization.
Americans want the end of enrichment
The US had already sent contradictory signs about whether Iran would be allowed to enrich uranium, but in recent weeks have hardened its position, insisting that no enrichment will be allowed.
This change led authorities in Tehran to question American commitment to a resolution, as Iran has repeatedly said that enrichment is a red line in negotiations.
The two Iranian sources reported CNN that the Iranians have increasing doubts about US sincerity in negotiations.
“The statements to the press and the negotiating behavior of the United States widely disappointed the political circles in Tehran,” the sources said in a joint message.
They continued to state that “from the decision makers in Iran, when the US knows that accepting zero enrichment in Iran is impossible and still insist on it, it is a sign that they are fundamentally not looking for a deal and are using negotiations as a tool to intensify pressure.”
Initially, the sources observed, some Iranian authorities believed that Washington could seek a “win-win.” However, now a consensus has come that the Trump administration is leading discussions to an impasse.
They continued to say that, although neither the US nor Iran want to leave the negotiating table, Washington’s position is making negotiations unproductive and formal meetings are unlikely to continue much longer.
According to the sources, Tehran no longer takes US efforts to distance himself from Israel’s hard line posture in relation to Iran and considers the American proposals as following the Israeli Prime Minister’s agenda, Benjamin Netanyahu, who insists that no enrichment is allowed in Iran.
This Friday (23), Iranian delegates in Rome intend to investigate whether Washington has revised his approach.
The sources have suggested that Tehran will probably adopt a harder posture unless the US offers tangible concessions.
USA imposes more sanctions before negotiations
Americans maintain pressure on Iran with new sanctions and threats of war, even with the continuity of diplomatic negotiations.
On Wednesday (21), the US State Department announced new measures by identifying the Iranian construction sector as “directly or indirectly controlled” by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) body and 10 strategic materials that, according to him, Iran is using nuclear, military or ballistic missile programs.
“With these determinations, the United States has more widely sanctions for Iran from getting strategic materials for its construction industry under IRGC control and its proliferation programs,” said state department spokesman Tammy Bruce.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Ministry spokeswoman criticized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for the measure, calling her “as outrageous as illegal and inhuman.”
“The consecutive rounds of sanctions from the United States only reinforce our people’s profound conviction that US decision makers are determined to make all evil efforts to prevent Iran’s development and progress. These sanctions, announced on the eve of the fifth round of indirect negotiations between Iran and USA, are further in doubt the willingness and seriousness for diplomacy,” Baqaei wrote at X.
This content was originally published in Iran does not believe that nuclear agreement with the US is possible, sources say on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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