Talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program appeared ready Monday to leave the Middle East, as an Italian source said the next round of negotiations would take place in Rome.
A source in the Italian government confirmed that the next round would take place in Rome on Saturday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because they weren't authorized to speak publicly.
The person's comments came as Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani separately told journalists in Osaka, Japan, that the Italian government has given its OK to host the talks.
"We received the request from the interested parties, from Oman, which plays the role of mediator and we gave a positive response," Tajani said. "We are ready to welcome, as always, meetings that can bring positive results, in this case on the nuclear issue."