Statements, Negotiating Behavior of US Disappoints Iran, Sources Told CNN

Iran and the United States are preparing for a fifth round of high-stakes nuclear talks in Rome on Friday, but sources in Tehran are casting serious doubt on the possibility of any breakthrough.

Two Iranian sources have told CNN the talks seem unlikely to lead to an agreement, with the US insisting that Tehran dismantles its uranium enrichment program – a demand Iranian officials say would cause the nuclear negotiations to collapse.

According to the sources, Iran’s delegation is participating in the Rome talks primarily to assess Washington’s latest position, rather than expecting significant progress.

Before departing for Rome, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s firm red lines.

“Figuring out the path to a deal is not rocket science,” Araqchi wrote on X. “Zero nuclear weapons = we DO have a deal. Zero enrichment = we do NOT have a deal.”

While the Trump administration continues to portray uranium enrichment as a path to “weaponization”, Iran has consistently emphasized the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and says it is willing to commit not to enrich uranium to weapons-grade as part of an agreement.

Speaking Thursday, Araghchi said Iran was open to enhanced monitoring by international inspectors as part of a potential agreement.

However, Araqchi made clear that Iran would not compromise on its right to peaceful nuclear technology, including enrichment.

Despite initially offering mixed messages on uranium enrichment, Washington has recently hardened its stance, now unequivocally opposing any level of enrichment by Iran.

That shift has prompted officials in Tehran to question Washington’s commitment to a deal, as Iran has repeatedly said enrichment is a red line in negotiations.

“The media statements and negotiating behavior of the United States has widely disappointed policy-making circles in Tehran,” the Iranian sources told CNN. “From the perspective of decision-makers in Tehran, when the US knows that accepting zero enrichment in Iran is impossible and yet insists on it, it is a sign that the US is fundamentally not seeking an agreement and is using the negotiations as a tool to intensify pressure.”

Initially, the sources noted to CNN that some Iranian officials believed Washington might seek a “win-win” compromise.

There is now a strong belief that the Trump administration is steering the talks toward a stalemate rather than a solution.

According to the CNN sources, both sides are reluctant to abandon the negotiation process, but the current US position renders the meetings increasingly unproductive and formal meetings are unlikely to continue much longer.

They added that Tehran no longer considers US efforts to distance itself from Israel’s confrontational stance as credible.

Iran views the American approach as closely aligned with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hardline demands for zero enrichment.

Iranian delegates in Rome are expected to carefully examine whether the US has shifted its approach. If not, the Iranian side is likely to respond with a firmer position unless Washington presents serious and credible concessions.