Policy on Return of Asylum Seekers

Iran said asylum seekers wishing to return home should do so on their own terms and not be compelled. Australian officials met a senior delegation from Iran last week to discuss an agreement to return Iranians in detention. A spokesman for the Iranian embassy told AAP on Wednesday there had been two rounds of talks this year, which had canvassed not only asylum seeker returns but how the two countries could cooperate on tourism, student exchanges and “consular issues.”  But there had been no agreement so far. “With respect to the Iranian asylum seekers, we reiterate that the policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on giving its citizens the freedom to choose their place of residence and occupation,” the spokesman said. “If an Iranian asylum seeker wishes to return to the country, this must be completely on his or her own terms and without any compulsion.”