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.

There is no indication the two sides would attach similar confidence building steps to a framework deal this time. The goal would be to establish an understanding on the key point

Iranian and U.S. negotiators resumed talks on Friday in Rome to resolve a decades-long dispute over Iran's nuclear ambitions, Iranian media reported, despite Tehran warning that clinching a new deal might be insurmountable amid mutually exclusive demands.