The next round of negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran's quickly developing nuclear program is expected to take place in Rome, according to an Italian source and others. With this, the talks appear to depart the Middle East on Monday. Iran, meanwhile, insisted early on Tuesday that they will once more take place in Oman.

It wasn’t immediately clear where the negotiations would take place after Tehran made an announcement overnight. American officials also haven’t mentioned the location of the talks. On Monday, President Donald Trump expressed frustration about how slowly the nuclear talks between the United States and Iran were moving, as both countries began a new round of important negotiations. "I think they're tapping us along," he said in the Oval Office during a meeting with El Salvador's president. The next meeting was expected to happen on Saturday in Rome, according to a source from the Italian government who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press because they weren't allowed to speak publicly. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also indicated that the talks would be held there.

"We received the request from the interested parties, from Oman, which plays the role of mediator and we gave a positive response," Tajani told reporters during a trip to Osaka, Japan. "We are ready to welcome, as always, meetings that can bring positive results, in this case on the nuclear issue." Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, while speaking at a meeting in Luxembourg, said that the upcoming talks would be held in Rome. However, US and Iranian officials have not yet confirmed this change of location.

According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also mentioned Rome as the venue during a conversation with his Iraqi counterpart on Monday. But early Tuesday, Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei saying that the talks would take place in Oman again, without explaining the reason for the switch. This coming weekend is Easter Sunday, which is an important holiday in Rome, a city that surrounds Vatican City — the centre of the Roman Catholic Church.

The first round of discussions about Tehran's fast-moving nuclear program was held this past weekend in Oman. The outcome of these talks is extremely important, as the two countries have been at odds for nearly 50 years. Trump has often warned that he might launch airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities if an agreement isn’t made. On the other hand, Iranian leaders are warning more strongly that they might try to build a nuclear weapon using their uranium, which is already enriched close to weapons-grade levels.

Speaking of Iran, Trump said, "I want them to be a rich, great nation." However, he said, "these are radicalised people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon." The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog has confirmed that he will visit Iran later this week. The visit is likely aimed at discussing how inspectors can get better access to Iran’s nuclear program. 

Itnternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Mariano Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is expected to travel to Iran later this week, just before important talks take place. The IAEA has been crucial in checking whether Iran was following the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers. Even after the U.S. pulled out of the deal in 2018 under President Trump, the IAEA continued its work in Iran, although Iranian authorities have gradually reduced the agency's access. "Continued engagement and cooperation with the Agency is essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed," Grossi wrote on X.

According to the state-run IRNA news agency, Kazem Gharibabadi, a deputy foreign minister, said that Grossi will reach Iran on Wednesday night and is scheduled to meet with Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian.