Iran, US to hold new round of nuclear talks in Rome

The talks, which began in April, are the highest-level contact between the foes since the United States quit the 2015 nuclear accord during President Donald Trump's first term.

Since returning to office, Trump has revived his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, backing talks but warning of military action if diplomacy fails.

Iran wants a new deal that would ease sanctions which have battered its economy. The last round of talks, in the Omani capital Muscat, ended with a public spat over enrichment.

US envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington "could not authorise even one percent" enrichment a position Tehran called a red line, citing its rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Ahead of Friday's talks, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said "fundamental differences" remained with the United States, while adding that Tehran was open to its nuclear sites undergoing more inspections.

Friday's talks in the Italian capital come ahead of a June meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency , and the October expiry of the 2015 accord.

The deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, aimed to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb a goal Western countries accused it of pursuing, though Tehran denies it.

In return for curbs on its nuclear programme, Iran had received relief from international sanctions. But the accord was torpedoed in 2018 when Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States.

Iran responded by ramping up its nuclear activities. It is now enriching uranium to 60 percent far above the deal's 3.67 percent cap but below the 90 percent needed for weapons-grade material.

Experts in Tehran said Iran was unlikely to back down.The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran says the country's nuclear industry employs 17,000 people, similar to other countries where uranium is enriched for civilian use.

Iran's enmity with Israel, whose main backer is the United States, has been a constant backdrop to the talks.