Iranian FM, Omani Counterpart Meet in Muscat

(FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Omani counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi in a meeting in Muscat on Sunday discussed bilateral ties and regional developments.

During the meeting held before a trilateral meeting between Zarif, his US counterpart John Kerry and EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton in the Omani capital today, Zarif and bin Alawi underlined the need for the further expansion of bilateral ties.

Zarif and Bin Alawi also expressed the hope that Tehran and Muscat would further broaden their relations in different areas.

The Iranian and Omani foreign minister also discussed the ongoing trilateral nuclear talks among Iran, US and EU in the Omani capital.

Meantime, Zarif thanked the Omani government for hosting the tripartite meeting in Muscat.

Zarif arrived in Muscat last night to take part in the trilateral meeting with Kerry and Ashton.

Tehran and the six powers have had seven rounds of talks in Vienna, and one more in New York and on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. They are now preparing for their 9th round of negotiations due to be held in Masqat, Oman, on November 11.

The Geneva agreement took effect on January 20 and expired six months later on July 20. In July, Tehran and the six countries agreed to extend negotiations until November 24 after they failed to reach an agreement on a number of key issues.