IRNA � Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is on a visit to Damascus, went to Zeinabiyeh District of Syria's capital city on Monday to pay tribute to the holy shrine of Hazrat Zeinab (S).

Zarif arrived in Damascus earlier in the day and was warmly welcomed by Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and Iran's Ambassador to Damascus Javad Torkabadi.

During his visit to Damascus, the Iranian foreign minister is scheduled to meet with high-ranking Syrian officials, including President Bashar Assad.

Zarif's visit to Syria takes place to explore ways for further consultations with the Syrian side few days before trilateral talks in Iran.

This is the second visit to Syria by Zarif since he took office as Iran's foreign minister.

Hossein Jaberi Ansari, a senior aide to foreign minister in political affairs, is accompanying Zarif in Syria visit.