BREAKINGBREAKING,
Statement by Omani foreign ministry does not identify freed individuals, but Belgium says deal involved aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele.
Iran and Belgium have agreed to free individuals detained in each other’s countries, in a deal facilitated by Oman.
In a statement on Friday, the Omani foreign ministry said the people were transported from Tehran and Brussels to Muscat in preparation for their return to their respective countries. It did not identify the prisoners being swapped.
However, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said in a statement that aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele had been freed.
Iranian state media repeated Oman’s announcement, without offering further details. Iran has been wanting Belgium to return a diplomat convicted of planning a bombing in France.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
