EU chief diplomat Ashton arrives in Iran

TEHRAN: EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who coordinates nuclear talks between Iran and world powers, arrived Saturday in Tehran, media reported, amid a thaw in ties between Iran and the European bloc.
"Ashton and her political and economic delegation arrived in Tehran and were officially welcomed by Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi," official IRNA news agency said.
Ashton's visit is the first to Iran by an EU policy chief since 2008.