Iran Foreign Minister Heads To Kuwait

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

The Iranian foreign minister is visiting Kuwait in his first visit to the Western-allied Gulf state since Tehran and the West struck a nuclear deal last month.

Iran's official IRNA news agency says Mohammad Javad Zarif will hold a meeting with Kuwaiti leaders and attend a joint economic committee during his December 1 visit.

Iranian President Hassan Rohani's new government has promised to build closer ties with nearby Arab countries.

Shi'ite-dominated Iran has had a tense relationship with predominantly Sunni Gulf Arab states.

Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic are seen as major rivals in the Middle East.

But the Gulf Arab states have now welcomed Iran's nuclear deal with the major global powers.

Last week the United Arab Emirates' foreign minister visited Tehran and Zarif will also head to Oman after leaving Kuwait.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP