Ambassador Yasser Hashem, the assistant foreign minister assistant for consular affairs and Egyptians abroad, said on Monday that the ministry was following up on the situation of five fishermen who are currently detained in Iran.

Hashem said in a short statement that the fishing boat they work on, which is registered in Saudi Arabia, reportedly drifted into Iranian territorial waters near the Island of Fares, and that they would be referred to court soon.

The ambassador added that the Egyptian foreign ministry was following the matter with the Iranian authorities to ensure their welfare and secure their release.