US-Iran Nuclear Talks Progress Amid High Hopes

The second round of indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran is set to take place in Rome, with the United Nations viewing these talks as a positive development and expressing hope for reduced tensions in the Middle East. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the negotiation process is proceeding routinely and is not delaying national affairs, while also welcoming a potential agreement. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who previously denounced talks with the US as unwise, has now cautiously endorsed the first round of discussions, describing them as having gone 'well' but reiterated skepticism towards America and insisted that Iran's progress should not be dependent on the outcome of these talks. Both US and Iranian officials characterized the initial round as constructive, while Iranian leadership emphasizes self-reliance regardless of the negotiations' results.