EU foreign policy chief due in Tehran

EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who is coordinating talks between six world powers and Iran on its nuclear program, is scheduled to enter Tehran on Saturday night for talks with senior Iranian officials.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had earlier invited Ashton to make a trip to Tehran.

It is the first visit to Tehran by an EU foreign policy chief in nearly 6 years, after the then European envoy, Javier Solana, visited the Islamic Republic in 2008.

Talking to IRNA, Deputy Foreign Minister for American and European Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi said Ashton will discuss bilateral ties between Iran and the European Union as well as the nuclear issue with Iranian officials.

During her trip, she will meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, President Hassan Rouhani, and Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani.

Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) are aiming to build on a breakthrough deal reached late last year in Geneva under which Tehran agreed to curb parts of its nuclear program in exchange for some easing of sanctions.