State Department Says U.S. Sees Path in Iran Nuclear Talks, Emphasizes Enrichment Limits

The State Department spokesperson told reporters that U.S. officials remain engaged in nuclear talks with Iran in Rome and expressed confidence that the negotiations could succeed while emphasizing a clear goal: to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Asked about prospects for compromise, the spokesperson said the United States is pursuing a clear objective on enrichment. “This bright line has been enrichment, certainly not getting a nuclear bomb,” the spokesperson said. The briefing described the current rounds of negotiations as focused on enrichment and said that other issues — for example, Iran's regional activities — may be addressed later depending on progress.

Reporters asked whether unnamed Iranian sources were casting doubt on U.S. sincerity; the spokesperson dismissed reliance on unnamed sources and urged that negotiations progress at the table in Rome. The spokesperson also said the U.S. negotiating posture reflects an intent to reach a durable, long-term agreement rather than a short-lived arrangement.

No negotiation text, schedules, or specific concessions were released at the briefing, and the spokesperson did not outline subsequent steps beyond saying the talks continued and that U.S. envoys believed the work was worthwhile.