“Pleased to host Swiss FM @ignaziocassis on centennial of diplomatic relations—ties that endure based on mutual respect. Excellent talks on bilateral, regional & global issues. While appreciating Swiss efforts to mitigate US sabotage, a return to normal trade is global priority,” Zarif tweeted on Monday.
Zarif and his visiting Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis held meetings in Tehran on Monday.
The Iranian minister and the senior Swiss diplomat marked the 100th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Switzerland, which also represents the United States’ interests in Iran, hosts a so-called humanitarian channel, known as the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement (SHTA), which is meant to help Tehran avoid American sanctions.
US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington in May 2018 from the landmark Iran nuclear agreement, reached between Iran and the Group 5+1 -- the US, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany -- in July 2015. He also decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran.