Pakistan, June 22 -- The repatriation of eight Iranian nationals rescued at sea by the British vessel MMA Valour is underway, the Pakistan Maritime Security (PMSA) said on Sunday, adding that local authorities were coordinating the operation.

The development comes after Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said last week that the country was facilitating the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals including eight fishermen and 22 crew members, who were rescued at sea by US and British authorities.

The repatriation operation is the latest in a series of efforts by Islamabad to assist Iranian nationals affected by the conflict between Washington and Tehran. All the Iranian nationals are expected to transit through the southern Pakistan...