Overview

• The fifth round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations is scheduled for May 23 in Rome, mediated by Oman, as both sides remain divided over uranium enrichment limits.
• Iran continues to enrich uranium to 60%, far exceeding the 3.67% cap outlined in the 2015 JCPOA, while the US insists on a near-zero enrichment threshold.
• Reports indicate that Israel is intensifying military training for potential strikes on Iranian nuclear sites if diplomatic efforts fail.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi has formally warned the UN that the US would bear legal responsibility for any Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
• The diplomatic standoff underscores the broader risks of escalation, with Israel viewing a nuclear-capable Iran as an existential threat and Iran refusing to negotiate its enrichment program.