"Mr Salehi will accompany the president on his visit to Turkey," the Iranian ambassador in Ankara told Mehr. "It will be the first visit abroad by the acting foreign minister."

Salehi, who was appointed on Monday after Ahmadinejad fired Manouchehr Mottaki in an apparent falling out over nuclear policy, retains his previous position as chief negotiator in talks on the issue with the major powers.

Turkey is to host the next round of those talks in Istanbul in late January after a first round in Geneva earlier this month.

The issue is expected to come up in Salehi's talks with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu.

TEHRAN (AFP)