Israel warns alternatives still on the table if Iran-US talks fail

There is a new possibility in the nuclear negotiations with Iran, but it will not be easy, Director General of the UN nuclear watchdog Rafael Grossi said in an interview with Italy's national broadcaster RAI on Saturday.

"Italy plays an important and growing role," Grossi said as the second round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington took place in Rome.

Israel's foreign minister says his country would accept an agreement between Tehran and Washington that would block Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon even though he believes the Islamic Republic would not comply with its obligations.

"Israel is committed to the objective of preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons. If that objective can be achieved by a diplomatic path, it is accepted," The Telegraph reported citing Gideon Saar.

Saar at the same time warned that Tehran cannot be trusted. “Iran always mocked its international obligations."

He said he does not exclude the option that "they will try to get some partial agreements, to avoid getting to the necessary solution," apparently referring to Donald Trump's threats to attack Iran if nuclear talks fail.

"We are speaking directly with the Americans. We’re also speaking with European friends. I think we all have the same objective. Iran is in a position of relative weakness, and this should be used to achieve the objective, and not to let Iran escape for the sake of convenience, to waste time until the circumstances change," Saar was quoted as saying.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to deliver a virtual keynote address at the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference on Monday, in what observers say signal Tehran's intent to engage directly with the US policy community amid ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States.​

Longtime US foreign policy journalist Laura Rozen highlighted the significance of Araghchi's upcoming address, saying on X, "It would seem a sign of Iran interest in trying to speak to US elite policy audience at time when tentative engagement underway with the Trump admin."​

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff met Rafael Grossi, the UN nuclear watchdog's director general in Rome on Saturday morning before the second round of nuclear talks with Iran, the Wall Street Journal and Axios reported citing sources.

Asked about the presence of Grossi in Rome, Iran's Foreign Minister told reporters, "Talks do not require IAEA Director General's presence now, but exchanging expert views including with Grossi can be helpful."

"His awareness of the process is positive; IAEA will have an important role later," the Iranian top diplomat added.

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi said nuclear talks between Iran and the United States are gaining momentum, following the second round of Muscat-mediated negotiations in Rome on Saturday.

"I would like to thank Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Presidential Envoy Mr Steve Witkoff for their highly constructive approach to the talks today,” al-Busaidi wrote on X. “These talks are gaining momentum and now even the unlikely is possible.”