Araghchi arrives in Rome for second round of US-Iran nuclear talks

“It is ideology, flexible ideology. Extremist, but flexible,” Alizadeh said. “Using lies, creating lies—that’s part of their strategy.”

Alizadeh, who served in Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 22 years, said Tehran’s current posture is motivated by a desire to stay afloat amid both internal unrest and external pressure.

Despite having defected, Alizadeh says he remains in contact with individuals inside Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and remains familiar with official policy thinking.

He offered insight into the mindset of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling him a revolutionary who clings to the vision of his predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, to export the Islamic Revolution.

“The reality is dictating to Khamenei that in this situation—internally because of the economic problems inside Iran, and tension with many parts of the world, particularly with Israel and the United States, and now with the European Union,” he said.

According to Alizadeh, pressure is mounting: Israel’s strikes on Iran’s regional proxies, economic hardship, domestic dissent, and the looming threat of “snapback” sanctions from the E3 (Britain, France, and Germany) are all pushing Tehran toward tactical concessions.

Despite its defiant stance, he said, Iran will most likely cave to US demands—but only temporarily.

Flipping his lights on and off, Alizadeh emphasized: “The nuclear program is like this: switch on. Switch off."

Iran permits nuclear inspectors into the country, he added, but blocks human rights monitors because Tehran can pause nuclear activities but cannot hide rights abuses.

Alizadeh served as a diplomat in Finland during the 2009 contested elections, when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s declared victory sparked mass protests.

Supporters of opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi claimed the vote was rigged, leading to a nationwide crackdown.

That moment, Alizadeh said, shattered his lifelong beliefs.

“When the Green Movement erupted in Iran was a moment that I always describe it as rebirth for myself,” he said.

Alizadeh pointed to the lack of public outrage from Iran’s hardliners in the face of renewed diplomacy—even with President Donald Trump whom the detest for ordering the killing of military leader Qasem Soleimani and withdrew from an earlier nuclear deal during his first term.

“Trump is in office—the Trump who killed Qasem Soleimani and the Trump who withdraw his country out of the JCPOA,” Alizadeh said. “None of the hardliners are saying anything against the talks. So, in fact, it's a matter of survival. They know this is a real game.”

Alizadeh said he advises American officials that Iranian diplomacy should not be compared to the Western model. In Iran’s case, it’s a calculated tool to manipulate perception.

“For Khamenei, diplomacy is a tool. He used it as instrument to trick people that, I am a rational person. Iran under me is a normal country like all the others,” Alizadeh said.

To hear more from Hossein Alizadeh, watch the full episode of Eye for Iran on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, or Amazon.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, whose country is mediating Tehran-Washington negotiations due to resume in Rome on Saturday, met with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani on Friday.

During the meeting in Rome, Tajani said, “Italy fully supports Oman’s mediation between the United States and Iran.”

The Italian top diplomat said his country was ready to support any new initiative aimed at international peace and stability given the numerous political and security challenges and the instability in the Middle East.

"What is officially conveyed during the negotiations will be considered Washington’s position — not the conflicting remarks made by American officials in the media," the Iranian state TV's newspaper Jame Jam reported Friday citing an informed political source.

“The continued use of threatening language against Iran will have a damaging effect on the negotiation process and may prompt Iran to reconsider the proposals it puts forward,” the newspaper quoted the source as saying a day before the second round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States.

"In return for nuclear transparency, Iran will pursue the lifting of sanctions and the realization of economic benefits for the country, and is now awaiting the counter-proposals from the other side."

"The Iranian people have gained nothing from this nuclear energy program and the goals pursued by the Islamic Republic of Iran, except for bearing its negative consequences and harmful effects," Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi said on Friday.

"(The nuclear program) only has negatively affected lives of the people since they were affected by heavy sanctions ... The sanctions have weakened the regime as well, that’s true, but the truth is that it has also weakened the Iranian society," she added in an interview with Iranian journalist Sima Sabet.

Mohammadi, who is currently on temporary medical leave from prison, continued, "For years there has been concern that the Islamic Republic's pursuit of nuclear weapons could turn the Iranian people into hostages in the hands of the regime."

"In this sense, losing this capability—which has brought no tangible benefit to the people's well-being or progress—could actually open up an opportunity for them to be freed from a deeply troubling situation."

As the Iranian and American delegations prepare to arrive in Rome for their second round of indirect negotiations, the venue of the talks has yet to be announced. Foreign and domestic news outlets reported various possibilities for their location.

Italy's Agenzia Nova cited sources as saying a hotel in central Rome will host the discussions, which will be led by Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.

However, Huffington Post reported that the talks will be held at the Omani ambassador's residence in Via della Camilluccia, northern Rome.

Italian daily Corriere Della Sera reported the talks would be held either in a Rome hotel or the Omani envoy's residence.

Earlier this week, Iran initially decided to designate Muscat as the venue for the second round after Italy rejected Tehran’s request to hold the talks at the Omani embassy in Rome, two informed sources told Iran International.

The Italian side reportedly preferred that the talks take place under the auspices of the Italian government in Rome, the sources added.

However, Iran ultimately agreed to hold the talks in Rome, with Muscat continuing to act as the mediator.