A Melbourne university lecturer with a focus on Islamic studies has been identified by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) as the third Australian currently detained in Iran, alongside two Western Australian travel bloggers.

In a statement on Saturday afternoon, DFAT identified Kylie Moore-Gilbert as one of the people currently detained in Iran but declined to make further comment.

According to the University of Melbourne website, Dr Moore-Gilbert was working at the university's Asia Insitute, specialising in Middle Eastern politics, before she was reportedly arrested in October 2018.

Facebook

Family rests hope on diplomatic efforts

Her family said they were in "close contact" with the Australian government and asked for privacy during this "distressing and sensitive time".

"Our family thanks the Government and the University of Melbourne for their ongoing support at this distressing and sensitive time," they said in a statement.

"We believe that the best chance of securing Kylie’s safe return is through diplomatic channels."

Dr Moore-Gilbert completed her bachelor's degree at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom before undertaking her PhD at the University of Melbourne.

READ MORE Marise Payne lobbying Iran for release of Australians

Foreign Minister Payne talks to Iranian counterpart

On Thursday, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said she had met with representatives of Iran's government on multiple occasions to secure the release of the three Australians, after travel bloggers Mark Finkin and Jolie King were identified.

"I have communicated with my Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister [Javad] Zarif, many times about these cases, including through face-to-face meetings. We met as recently as last week," she said.

"The government has been making efforts to ensure they are treated fairly, humanely and in accordance with international norms."

News of the arrests came after Canberra announced it would contribute a frigate and surveillance aircraft to a US-led mission to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, with tensions high in the Gulf region.

Payne said the cases of those detained were not related to diplomatic tensions.

The University of Melbourne said it was monitoring the situation and staying in communication with Dr Moore-Gilbert's family and the Australian government.

"We believe that the best chance of securing Kylie’s safe return is through diplomatic channels," the university said in a statement.

"This is a sensitive matter and the University will not be providing further comment."

Academic faces 10-year sentence

The university lecturer has reportedly been sentenced to 10 years in prison but the alleged offence has not yet been revealed.

It is understood that Dr Moore-Gilbert is being held at Tehran's notorious Evin jail, where Mr Finkin and Ms King are also believed to be held after they were arrested for allegedly flying a drone near a military zone.

DFAT's Smart Traveller website urges Australians to "reconsider their need to travel" to Iran, and warns that foreigners "could be arbitrarily detained or arrested".

The notorious Evin prison is where Iran holds its political prisoners and has a reputation as the scene of various human rights abuses, including summary executions.

Additional reporting: AFP, AAP