Pakistan facilitating repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals, says Dar

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Wednesday announced that Pakistan is facilitating the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals, reaffirming the country’s commitment to humanitarian cooperation and regional goodwill.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Dar said the group comprises eight Iranian fishermen rescued at sea by a British vessel and 22 Iranian crew members from a sanctioned oil tanker that had recently been interdicted by United States authorities.

“Pakistan is pleased to facilitate the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals,” the deputy prime minister said.

He explained that the eight fishermen were rescued by the British vessel MMA Valour after their boat ran aground, while the remaining 22 individuals were crew members of the vessel Lenore, also known as Davina.

According to Dar, both groups are expected to transit through Karachi in the coming days before returning to Iran.

“We remain in close coordination with the Iranian, United States and United Kingdom authorities to ensure the safe transit and early return of our Iranian brethren to their homeland,” he said.

The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to extending every possible assistance on humanitarian grounds.

“Pakistan remains committed to humanitarian cooperation and to extending every possible assistance to our Iranian brothers,” he added.

Earlier this month, the United States military conducted an interdiction operation involving the sanctioned oil tanker Davina in the Indian Ocean. The vessel, also known as Lenore, was placed under US sanctions in October 2024 over allegations related to Iranian oil trade.

Shipping data indicated that the supertanker, capable of carrying up to two million barrels of crude oil, was nearly fully loaded at the time of the operation.

The latest development comes amid Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic engagement between Iran and the United States and follows earlier confidence-building measures undertaken by Islamabad.

In May, Pakistan facilitated the return of crew members from another Iranian vessel seized by US authorities. The group, comprising 22 crew members, was transferred to Pakistan before being repatriated.

At the time, the Foreign Office described the move as part of broader confidence-building measures aimed at promoting trust and humanitarian cooperation among the parties involved.

The latest repatriation effort underscores Pakistan’s continued role in facilitating humanitarian initiatives and maintaining constructive engagement with regional and international partners.