TEHRAN -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday Iran is considering whether to participate in the next round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the U.S.
Araghchi said the Iranian delegation is reviewing the proposed time and venue of the 5th round of talks even as he emphasized the country’s resolve to confront excessive U.S. demands.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said later in the day that the fifth round of the negotiations will take place in Rome on Friday.

His remarks came after U.S. reports said the next round of talks was expected to take place “at the weekend” in Rome.
“We are considering whether to partake in the next round of negotiations,” Araghchi said. “We are still investigating whether useful and beneficial negotiations can be held on that date and in that location,” he added.
Contradictory statements by U.S. officials, including their demand for “zero enrichment” by Iran, have left the fate of negotiations in limbo.
Araghchi underlined that Tehran has previously responded to “unreasonable requests”, saying Iran would by no means halt its uranium enrichment program.
“We have already responded to unreasonable requests, and these unusual statements do not help advance the talks,” Araghchi said. “Our position is completely clear; enrichment, whether with or without an agreement, will continue,” he added.
Araghchi said, “I the parties are willing to have transparency regarding Iran’s peaceful program, we are ready.”
“However there must be a discussion about lifting the cruel sanctions that have been imposed due to claims about our nuclear program, and these sanctions must be removed.”