ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that Pakistan will facilitate the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals, who are expected to transit through Karachi in the coming days before returning to Iran.

In a statement, Dar said the group includes eight Iranian fishermen rescued at sea by the British vessel MMA Valour after their boat ran aground, as well as 22 Iranian crew members from the vessel Lenore/Davina, which was recently intercepted by US authorities.

He said Pakistan is working closely with the governments of Iran, the United States and the United Kingdom to ensure the safe transit and early return of the Iranian nationals.

The deputy prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to humanitarian cooperation, saying the country would continue to extend all possible assistance in such cases.

According to Dar, both groups are expected to pass through Karachi before completing their journey back to Iran.

Last month, Pakistan also facilitated the repatriation of 11 Pakistani nationals and 20 Iranians who had been on board vessels seized by US authorities. The operation was carried out through Singapore with the cooperation of the governments involved.

US authorities seized several vessels in May after enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports following the collapse of negotiations aimed at resolving tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.

Following the earlier repatriation operation, Dar expressed appreciation to the governments of the United States and Singapore for their cooperation throughout the process. He also thanked Thailand for facilitating the transit of the affected nationals through Bangkok at Pakistan’s request.