Merkel And Her Likely Successor Will Discuss Iran With Biden

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her likely successor Olaf Scholz will discuss the Iran nuclear issue with US President Joe Biden when they meet during the G20 summit.

Merkel has invited current finance minister Scholz to join bilateral discussions with other world leaders on the sidelines of the G20 summit this weekend, a German government official said on Thursday.

Merkel's bilateral meetings, which should cover topics such as nuclear talks with Iran, will include one with US President Joe Biden, the official added.

Germany, along with the United Kingdom and France, is a participant in the Vienna nuclear talks. Iran has suspended its participation in the negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) but announced on Wednesday that it will rejoin until the end of November.

The three German parties working to form a new coalition government aim to wrap up their talks by the end of November and hope to elect Social Democrat Scholz as the new chancellor in the week of Dec. 6, party officials said last week.

The fact that Merkel and Scholz will take part in the summit together is a sign of continuity in Germany's approach to the G20, the government official said.