Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday "closer interaction" with African nations is high on the foreign policy agenda.
Zarif, who has travelled to Kenya on the first leg of his tour of Africa, told reporters following a meeting with Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed in Nairobi, "Africa is a strategic partner for Iran," IRNA reporter.
In response to a question about the direction of the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany), Zarif said, "We believe a comprehensive nuclear deal could safeguard Iran's nuclear rights and allow us to reach a desirable outcome."
He also said such an agreement could also "ensure the other party that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful and such a resolution is within reach."
"The members of the P5+1 have realized that the best resolution (to the current standoff) for them is to respect the rights of the Iranian nation."
For his part, the Kenyan foreign minister said her country has "amicable" and "growing" relations with Tehran.
Earlier in the day, Zarif met with members of the Iranian trade council residing in the East African country.
In that meeting, the top diplomat lamented that some "forces inside and outside Iran are against the lifting of sanctions against Tehran and seek the imposition of further sanctions to secure their own interests."
