In a new development, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly proposed an interim nuclear deal during talks with White House envoy Steve Witkoff on Saturday, according to two sources cited by Axios in a scoop by Barak Ravid. However, Iran’s Mission to the UN denied the claim, calling it “neither true nor accurate,” while the U.S. State Department declined to comment.
The discussions, held indirectly in Rome with mediation by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi and including direct meetings, come as President Trump imposes a 60-day deadline for a comprehensive agreement backed by a U.S. military build-up in the Middle East.
Araghchi expressed concerns over the tight timeline, citing the technical complexity of a final accord, per Axios sources. Witkoff, however, prioritized a complete deal within the deadline, leaving the interim option open for reconsideration if time ran short. A senior U.S. official noted “excellent progress” during the Rome talks, and Araghchi, speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, hinted at a better mutual understanding and a “chance for making progress.” Oman’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the parties’ intent to pursue a “fair, enduring, and binding deal,” ensuring Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful and free of sanctions.
Meanwhile, technical negotiations are set to resume in Oman on Saturday, focusing on uranium enrichment limits, with the U.S. State Department’s Michael Anton leading the American team. Witkoff and Araghchi may meet again post-talks. Amidst this, Araghchi warned via Tasnim and social media of Israeli and special interest groups attempting to sabotage diplomacy through misinformation and aggression, asserting Iran’s nuclear activities remain under IAEA supervision.
As IAEA Director-General Raphael Grossi emphasized the “crucial moment” in talks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that a deal remains distant, underscoring Trump’s preference for diplomacy over military action despite Iran’s advanced capabilities.