Iraq's Minister for Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein met with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday to discuss a number of issues, including bilateral ties and regional and international developments.

Hussein is also in Iran to discuss ways to "balance relations and avoid tension and escalation" with Iranian officials, according to a statement by Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Further details of the discussions between the delegations have yet to be released.

Prior to this meeting, Hussein met with Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani following his arrival in the Iranian capital Tehran earlier on Saturday.

This is Hussein's second trip to the Islamic Republic in less a month following an initial one earlier this month during which he met with President Hassan Rouhani, Zarif and Shamkhani.

(With input from agencies)