Iran, US begins second round of nuclear talks in Rome amid tensions

A second round of talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme began Saturday in Rome, a US official said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations at the Omani Embassy in Rome's Camilluccia neighbourhood.

The negotiations seek to build on an initial meeting held in Oman last weekend.

The talks will again be mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi.

Their success will hinge on US billionaire Steve Witkoff, the US Mideast envoy of President Donald Trump, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

At risk is a possible American or Israeli military strike on Iran's nuclear sites, or the Iranians following through on their threats to pursue an atomic weapon.

Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have spiked over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and after US airstrikes targeting Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels killed more than 70 people and wounded dozens more.