TEHRAN, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi praised on Friday efforts leading to the liberation of three Iranians imprisoned in Thailand and one Australian-British citizen jailed in Iran.
"I was honored to welcome the three freed compatriots released, and upon their arrival and assurances of their health, the order was given to release the Australian prisoner," Araghchi said, as quoted by official news agency IRNA.
The official explained the swap was the result of intensive diplomatic work among Iran, Thailand and Australia for more than one year, with hundreds of hours of consultations.
The swap took place at Tehran Airport, where the three Iranians arrived on a private Australian airplane, Araghchi further said.
According to a report on Iran's state TV, the Iranian prisoners were arrested for "trying to circumvent extraterritorial embargoes" imposed unilaterally on Iran by the United States.
As reported by Press TV, the Australian prisoner was detained in September 2018 and later sentenced to jail for "spying for Israel." Enditem
