Dutton will not fold on asylum seekers

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is resolute that Iranian asylum seekers will not be settled in Australia despite Tehran refusing to accept the forcible return of their citizens.

Mr Dutton told ABC radio on Monday the government had been very specific about plans not to allow asylum seekers who came by boat to settle in Australia and would return people to their country of origin where possible.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, during weekend talks in Tehran, failed to convince Iran to take back deported asylum seekers but managed to win agreement for their voluntary return.