Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif departed Sunday for Kuwait and Oman, on his first visit to Gulf Arab states since Tehran and the West struck a nuclear deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif departed Sunday for Kuwait and Oman, on his first visit to Gulf Arab states since Tehran and the West struck a nuclear deal.

The official IRNA news agency said Zarif would attend an economic meeting in Kuwait and hold talks with officials in the emirate on "bilateral relations, regional and international developments".

"The foreign minister will also travel to Oman to hold talks on Tehran-Muscat bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments," the agency added.

Zarif's visit comes a week after Iran and western powers struck a landmark agreement on the Islamic republic's nuclear program.
Oman maintains good relations with Tehran, and Sultan Qaboos was the first guest of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani following his inauguration on August 3.

Shortly after his election, Rouhani said he hoped to improve relations with neighboring countries, especially Gulf states.

According to reports, Oman hosted secret talks between Iran and the United States in the lead-up to the six-month accord on its nuclear program.
Oman is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.