EU's Mogherini in Iran to discuss nuclear deal, region: TV

Iran and the European Union have agreed to start talks on issues including confronting terrorism, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told a news conference with the EU's chief diplomat in Tehran on July 28.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini arrived for a one-day visit to discuss implementation of an agreement for Iran to curtail its nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions against the country, state TV reported. 

"We have agreed to hold high-level talks between Iran and the European Union over different issues, including energy cooperation ... human rights, confronting terrorism and regional issues," Zarif said after meeting her. 

The nuclear agreement was reached on July 14 in Vienna between Iran and the United States, France, Russia, China, Britain and Germany. It is intended to end more than a decade-old standoff over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme. 

After the terms of the agreement were settled, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tehran would not end its support for regional allies, including the Lebanese Hezbollah, Syria's government and Shi'ites in Bahrain and Yemen. 

The United States designates Iran and Syria as "state sponsors of terrorism" and Hezbollah as a "terrorist organisation." 

Mogherini said implementation of the agreement "depends on political will, commitment and patience of all parties involved ... The deal has the capacity to pave the ground for wider cooperation between Iran and the West." 

"Regional and international cooperation with Iran is very important for us." 

Writing on the op-ed page of Britain's Guardian newspaper, Mogherini said EU foreign ministers have tasked her with exploring "ways in which the EU could actively...