The US government is seeking a new agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran over the latter's nuclear program. The governments have been holding talks since mid-April but the latest round of negotiations, which was to take place this weekend in Rome, was postponed. During the ongoing talks, US President Donald Trump had increased the pressure on Iran, threatening to impose "secondary sanctions" on importers of Iranian oil.

For its part, Iran, which has come under international pressure because of its nuclear program, has been hoping that a new agreement would lead to the easing of sanctions.

At the same time, the internal rift between the government and the population has grown wider than ever in the wake of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement launched in 2022 and its suppression.

An organized opposition that could offer an alternative to the current rulers has failed to materialize.

© Deutsche Welle