German FM in Tehran in bid to save nuclear deal

Ahead of the arrival in Tehran of German FM Heiko Maas, his host, Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif,made it clear that their talks would be limited to keeping the 2015 nuclear deal alive. Haas had also expected to help ease Iran-US tensions and lean on Tehran to give up its missile program. But Zarif stressed that Iran did not view Maas as a mediator with Washington or that he was carrying “a special message.” Maas coordinated his trip with France and Britain and also discussed it with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He is scheduled to meet President Hassan Rouhani as well as Zarif. Tehran has voiced disappointment with the European contribution towards compensating Iran for US withdrawal from the nuclear pact.