WASHINGTON — Secretary of State John F. Kerry was scheduled to fly Monday to a Boston hospital after breaking his leg in a bicycling accident in Europe, cutting short a diplomatic trip focused on nuclear negotiations with Iran.

Kerry, 71, broke his right femur in the accident early Sunday, said John Kirby, a State Department spokesman. The break is near the site of a prior hip replacement surgery, Kirby said.

Kerry’s injury is “not life threatening, and he is expected to make a full recovery,” Kirby said in a statement. He said Kerry was in “good spirits.”

Kerry had initially planned on flying back to the U.S. on Sunday evening, but Kirby said later Sunday that “after further consultation it was sensible for him to remain in the hospital for observation overnight for purely precautionary measures and fly home tomorrow.”

It is unclear how quickly Kerry will be able to resume traveling. But the secretary is already signaling that he will try not to let the accident interrupt his usual intense work schedule.

He is planning to join by teleconference a meeting in Paris on Tuesday of foreign ministers who are part of the coalition against the militant group known as Islamic State.

Kerry has stepped up his role in the Iran talks this year. The United States and five other world powers are trying to complete a deal by June 30. Kerry met Saturday with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Geneva for all-day talks.


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