Australia is in the "early stages" of negotiations which could see Iranian asylum seekers sent back to their home country, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says.
Ms Bishop is in negotiations with Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif ahead of his visit next week, with Australia seeking guarantees returnees won't be persecuted.
"This would be part of negotiations and the discussion with Iranian authorities and I made that clear in my meetings last year when I was in Tehran and met with Foreign Minister Zarif," Ms Bishop told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.
Ms Bishop signalled the asylum seekers could be sent back against their wishes, despite Iran's current refusal to accept involuntary returnees.
"Of course we would like them to return voluntarily, but if there are citizens in Australia who have no legal basis for remaining here, or in Manus and Nauru, then they could be subject to deportation," she said.
Ms Bishop would not be drawn on whether the negotiations would be finalised by next week.
"We are in the early stages of negotiation between consular officials and the process of negotiation is ongoing," she said.
"We are focusing on this issue on a priority but I'm not going to pre-empt the negotiations currently under way between our officials."
Ms Bishop went to Tehran last April for the first high-level official talks between Iran and Australia in 12 years.
