Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) receives Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis in Tehran on September 7, 2020.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif holds a first round of talks with his visiting Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis, who has traveled to Iran to mark the 100th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.

The meeting took place in the capital Tehran on Monday, the third and final day of the trip by the Swiss top diplomat, Mehr news agency reported.

Apart from marking the longevity of the bilateral ties, the visit has also featured discussion over regional and international matters as well as expansion of mutual relations.

Switzerland, which also represents the United States’ interests in Iran, hosts a so-called humanitarian channel, known as the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement (SHTA), that is meant to help Tehran avoid American sanctions. According to some reports, Cassis’ stay was also expected to help expand the channel.

On Sunday, the Swiss official met with Iran’s Parliament speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf.

The senior Iranian legislator underlined the Iranian people’s pessimistic view of the United States caused by Washington’s unilateral, oppressive, and illegal sanctions against Tehran.

Cassis was also slated to meet with President Hassan Rouhani later on Monday.

Upon arrival in the Islamic Republic, the Swiss official went to the central city of Isfahan, where he visited historical and cultural monuments and underlined the need for developing scientific and tourism relations with Tehran.

SOURCE: PRESS TV