A population expert at the University of Melbourne has been detained in Iran.

Dr Meimanat Hosseini-Chavoshi, a dual Iranian-Australian citizen who works at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, was in the capital Tehran when she was reportedly arrested.

Melbourne University academic Meimenat Hosseini-Chavoshi has reportedly been detained in Iran.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was offering assistance to the family of an Australian “who has been detained in Iran”.

“As the travel advice has noted for some time, Iran does not recognise dual nationality and it is highly unlikely Australian officials will be given consular access to dual nationals,” DFAT said in a statement.