Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Wednesday that Iran will hold separate high-level talks with European and U.S. officials as part of the ongoing nuclear negotiations. According to Araghchi, Iran is scheduled to meet with representatives from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—collectively known as the E3—on Friday.

These discussions will precede a fourth round of indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States, set to take place on Saturday in Rome. The back-to-back meetings reflect the continued effort to revive a nuclear agreement amid a complex diplomatic landscape.

Araghchi commented that he remains “cautiously optimistic” about the prospects of a deal with Washington. However, he emphasized that serious differences remain on several core issues, underscoring the challenges both sides face as they attempt to bridge divides that have persisted since earlier rounds of negotiations.

From the U.S. side, officials characterized previous discussions with Iran as “positive and productive,” indicating a constructive tone in recent engagements. Still, they acknowledged that substantial work lies ahead before a consensus can be reached. The indirect nature of the talks, often facilitated by intermediaries, adds a layer of complexity to the process.

The upcoming round of talks in Rome is expected to test both sides’ willingness to compromise on key points, including nuclear enrichment levels, sanctions relief, and monitoring protocols. The diplomatic sequence of meeting first with the E3 suggests that Iran may be seeking alignment or at least understanding from European partners before facing the more contentious issues with the United States.

As global stakeholders watch closely, the outcome of these back-to-back meetings could play a pivotal role in determining whether progress toward a renewed nuclear agreement is truly within reach or if deeper diplomatic rifts will delay resolution further.