Iran negotiators seek ‘balanced deal, not surrender’ – Khamenei advisor

Iran’s delegation is using Saturday’s nuclear talks in Rome to assess whether the United States is genuinely committed to diplomacy, amid what it sees as mixed signals from Washington, the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency reported.

Tasnim said some of the demands voiced by US officials were “unrealistic and unachievable,” and warned that raising previously rejected proposals amounts to “repeating failed approaches.”

Recent comments from US officials have alternated between calls to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program entirely and proposals to limit enrichment levels, adding uncertainty about Washington’s current position in the talks.

Iran’s ultra-hardline Kayhan newspaper on Saturday said Tehran should consider withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if the United States crosses Iran’s red lines in ongoing nuclear talks.

“The current nuclear standoff has clearly endangered our vital interests,” wrote Hossein Shariatmadari, Kayhan’s editor and a representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. “If that is the case—and it is—why don’t we invoke Article 10 of the NPT and exit?”

The paper said the outcome of Saturday’s negotiations in Rome will be a key test of Washington’s intentions and added that past US statements show the nuclear issue is “only a pretext” to pressure Iran.

Kayhan argued that withdrawal would be legal under the treaty and could remove what it described as an imposed challenge on Iran’s nuclear program.

The NPT allows countries to use nuclear technology for civilian purposes—such as medicine, agriculture, and energy—but prohibits the development or acquisition of nuclear weapons.

The second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran is scheduled to begin at 5am ET (11:00am local time) on Saturday at the Omani embassy in Rome, Axios reported.

The session is expected to last at least five hours.

According to Axios, the United States aims to use this round to establish a framework for the next phase of negotiations.

Tehran’s hardline outlet Farhikhtegan dismissed the second round of negotiations with the United States as futile, citing the absence of tangible economic benefits for Iran and a lack of US commitment to easing sanctions.

“The current US administration does not appear willing to agree to any deal that would result in economic benefits for Tehran,” the paper wrote on Saturday, adding that recent signals from Washington made no mention of easing sanctions or addressing European threats to trigger the snapback mechanism.

Farhikhtegan called for a pivot toward regional diplomacy centered on Riyadh, suggesting that Saudi mediation—especially during an expected visit by President Donald Trump next month—offers a more viable route to influencing Washington.

“What we're after through negotiations with Trump’s America is already within reach through bilateral engagement with regional powers,” the paper said, adding that “the road to Rome passes through Riyadh.”

An Iranian lawmaker said talks between Iran and the United States are likely to continue, noting that US President Donald Trump trusts his chief envoy despite political pressure at home.

Fadahossein Maleki, a member of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, told local media that Trump “is under pressure from some hardliners,” but his negotiator, Steve Witkoff, “is trusted by him.”

Maleki said Iran was satisfied with the format and agenda of the first round of talks held in Muscat earlier this month, and that the second round in Rome will focus exclusively on nuclear issues.

“I am optimistic,” Maleki said, adding that the discussions are expected to define a framework for possible future negotiations.