MUSCAT: At the behest of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to respond to the request of the Iranian and Swedish governments to help settle the issue of citizens detained in the two countries, the Omani efforts resulted in an agreement between the two sides on the mutual release.
Those released were transferred from Tehran and Stockholm to Muscat on Saturday, for their repatriation.
The Sultanate of Oman values the positive spirit that prevailed in the talks held in Muscat between the Iranian and Swedish sides.
Oman also appreciates their keenness to settle this humanitarian matter.
Reuters reported that Sweden freed a former Iranian official while Iran released two Swedes that were held there.
The prisoner swap was mediated by Oman, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Omani efforts resulted in the two sides agreeing on a mutual release, as those released were transferred from Tehran and Stockholm," it said.
Sweden had freed former Iranian official Hamid Noury, Iran's top human rights official said on X. Noury would be back in Iran in a few hours, the official added.
Separately, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a statement that Swedish citizens Johan Floderus and Saeed Azizi who had been detained in Iran were on a plane back to Sweden. - Agencies
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
