Flight carrying Iranian deportees reportedly turns back after Pakistan entry refusal

A US flight carrying at least nine Iranian deportees returned to its departure point after Pakistan reportedly refused entry, according to reports. The plan was to transfer the passengers through Pakistan before sending them to Iran.

The aircraft left Mesa, Arizona, and reportedly turned around about half an hour later. Passengers were taken back into immigration detention. A Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson declined comment, the report said.

The account does not independently establish why permission was denied or a general Pakistani policy. Human-rights groups and immigration lawyers have warned that some people returned to Iran could face persecution. The report also does not establish the individual legal circumstances of every passenger.