Iran's Vice-President for Strategic Affairs departed Tehran for Switzerland on Monday morning to attend the World Economic Forum's annual meeting.

In addition to meetings and panel discussions, state media reported that Mohammad Javad Zarif is scheduled to participate in a conversation with CNN host Fareed Zakaria on the event's sidelines.

While business and political leaders began gathering in Davos on Monday for the four-day summit, US President-elect Donald Trump's swearing in ceremony was expected to dominate discussions despite his absence from the event.

Trump will address participants virtually on Thursday.

Last year, the World Economic Forum faced calls to revoke its invitation to Iran’s then Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian due to his close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and support for Hamas.