Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast on Saturday thanked Turkey for the help in releasing five Iranian nationals abducted two months ago in Syria, a statement posted on the ministry's website said.

On Saturday, five Iranians arrived in Tehran after they were release two days earlier in the border of Turkey-Syria on Thursday.

Mehmanparast expressed thanks for the efforts of Turkish officials and the Turkish foreign ministry which led to the release of five Iranian pilgrims who were abducted in January in Homs, Syria, said the statement.

Eleven Iranian pilgrims were kidnapped in January by gunmen en route to Damascus.

Also, seven Iranian electrical engineers, who were involved in building a power plant in Homs over the past two years, were kidnapped by unknown armed men last December.

Mehmanparast also expressed hope that other Iranian pilgrims and experts to be released quickly.

As long-time allies in the region, Iran has provided Syria with economic assistance over past years to counter the international isolation and economic sanctions imposed on the country. The two countries have recently signed a series of agreements on economic cooperation to help Syria withstand new pressures.