TEHRAN -- A group of Iranian prisoners who had spent years in United Arab Emirates (UAE) prisons have been released following sustained diplomatic and security efforts by Iranian officials, according to a report.
Fars news agency reported on Sunday that the prisoners were freed after sustained negotiations and follow-up by a joint Iranian diplomatic and security delegation.
The delegation overseeing the case has also pledged to continue efforts to secure the release of other Iranian nationals still held in UAE prisons and facilitate their return to Iran.
Iranian authorities have been pursuing the cases through both diplomatic and legal channels, with the latest release coming amid renewed contacts between Tehran and Persian Gulf states.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei separately expressed appreciation for cooperation by UAE officials in the release of an Iranian national and voiced hope that other Iranians held in the country would also be freed.
The embassy said the fishermen had been detained under what it described as “special conditions” in the region and that arrangements were being made for their return to Iran.
The UAE and Iran have also maintained formal political consultations, with their foreign ministries holding talks in Tehran in February.