Iran frees 3 detained Iraqi fishermen

Iranian authorities have released three of the 12 Iraqi fishermen who were detained after illegally entering the waters of the Islamic Republic.

“After conducting necessary investigation, three of these fishermen were returned to their country and the other nine remain in custody,” senior coast guard official Yadollah Sharafi told Fars News Agency on Tuesday.

The 12 Iraqi fishermen were taken into custody after coast guards intercept six boats that had entered the Arvand River, which marks the Iran-Iraq border.

“Despite repeated warnings, unfortunately Iraqi fishermen illegally enter the waters of the Islamic Republic and overfish in Iranian waters,” Sharafi added.

Iran and Iraq signed the Algiers Accord in March 1975, which settled previous border disagreements between Tehran and Baghdad. The accord clearly determined the common land and water borders between the two neighboring countries.

Prior to attacking Iran, Saddam had declared the agreement to be null and void.