Kerry to meet Zarif, Sisi ahead of Saudi visit

WASHINGTON

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif on Tuesday to discuss implementation of the nuclear deal, according to the State Department.

Kerry will also "follow up on earlier conversations regarding regional issues, including the continued work of trying to get to a political resolution in Syria," said spokesman John Kirby.

He added that Kerry plans to speak with Zarif about using Iran’s influence with the Syrian government to move forward a political solution for Syria.

The meeting will take place after senior Iran officials said the U.S. was not fulfilling its part of the nuclear agreement to relieve economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for severe restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program.

Though the U.S. says it met its obligations, Zarif recently demanded the U.S. ease restrictions on foreign banks -- excluding American financial institutions -- that do business with Tehran.

After his meeting with Zarif in New York, Kerry will travel Wednesday to Egypt where he will meet President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry to discuss "a range of bilateral and regional issues".

The following day Kerry will go to the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, to join U.S. President Barack Obama at the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.