Iran and the United States began a fifth round of high-stakes nuclear talks in Rome on Friday amid growing skepticism in Tehran about the chances of a deal as Washington hardens its position.

Iran and the United States made "some but not conclusive progress" in the fifth round of negotiations in Rome over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear programme, Oman's mediator has said. The remarks by Badr al-Busaidi suggested the negotiations between the two sides would continue.

A round of U.S.-Iran talks has been announced to take place in Italy as tensions loom over negotiations for a new nuclear agreement.