Forced Repatriation of Asylum Seekers from Australia Not on Agenda: Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham announced that there has been no agreement between Tehran and Canberra over forced repatriation of Iranian nationals from Australia.
"No agreement has been reached about forced repatriation of asylum seekers," Afkham told reporters during her weekly press conference in Tehran on Wednesday.
She noted, however, that the issue has been discussed at consular meetings and during recent reciprocal visits by the two countries' high-ranking officials.
"Forced repatriation of asylum-seekers is not on agenda," she further emphasized.
Afkham went on to say that a delegation from Australia will visit Iran in the near future to hold talks on this issue.
Earlier on Friday, a report by The West Australian claimed that Iranians held in Australia could be returned under a deal being negotiated between the two countries.
Last week, an Iranian delegation led by Foreign Ministry's Director-General for Consular Affairs Ali Chegeni held a meeting with Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton in Canberra.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of a consular meeting between Iran and Australia in Canberra.
