Iran Dismisses Reports of Asylum Deal with Australia
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Iranian source on Friday denied as “untrue” a recent media report on an alleged agreement between Tehran and Canberra over the return of Iranian asylum-seekers from Australia.
Earlier today, a report by The West Australian claimed that Iranians held in Australia could be returned under a deal being negotiated between the two countries.
A source close to an Iranian consular delegation rejected the report, and said, “This is not true and no deal has been made in this regard.”
The source went on to say that the Iranian citizens are free to choose their place of residence and job.
“If any of our citizens intends to return to Iran, the return should be voluntarily,” the source added.
The remarks came as 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 this week.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of a consular meeting between Iran and Australia in Canberra.