UAE Minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak meets Iran's new president in Tehran

Sheikh Nahyan led a delegation to meet Ebrahim Raisi, who was sworn in to office on Thursday

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, pictured at an unrelated event, led a delegation to Tehran to meet Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An Emirati minister has met Iran's new president during an official visit to Tehran.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, led a delegation to the Iranian capital, UAE state news agency Wam reported on Saturday.

There he met President Ebrahim Raisi, who was sworn in to office on Thursday.

Sheikh Nahyan conveyed the greetings of President Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Wam reported.

During the meeting, Mr Raisi expressed Iran's sincere and serious desire to strengthen its relations with the UAE across all fields, Wam reported, quoting Iranian state news agency Irna.

Mr Raisi, 60, who is described as a hardliner, has replaced Hassan Rouhani as president.

He won a presidential poll in June.

On July 27, Mr Raisi called on parliament to co-operate to increase Iranians' hopes in the future.

“I am very hopeful for the country's future and confident that it is possible to overcome difficulties and limitations,” he said.

From the outset, Mr Raisi will have to tackle nuclear talks aimed at reviving the deal from which the US unilaterally withdrew.

Updated: August 7th 2021, 5:00 PM