The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs announced that the three Jordanian citizens, who were arrested by the Iranian authorities in Tehran after they strayed into the Iranian territorial waters in December 2018, arrived at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) on Monday morning, March 11, 2019.

After the release procedures were completed with the cooperation and coordination between the Ministry and the Jordanian agencies, the three citizens were transferred from Iran to Iraq and then to Amman, the spokesman for the Ministry, Sufian al-Qudah said.

The released Jordanians were supposed to be transferred from the United Arab Emirates to Amman by sea last week; however, bad weather conditions called for postponement.

Qudah expressed Jordan's gratitude to the Iraqi government for its efforts which had a great impact in accelerating the Jordanians' safe return to Jordan.

"We would also like to thank our brothers in the UAE for their cooperation and great efforts in this regard," Qudah added.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi had ordered the head of the Consular Affairs Department, Ambassador Ayed Sweidat, and the Ministry's spokesperson, Ambassador Sufian al-Qudah to receive the three Jordanians upon their arrival.