Iran’s chief diplomat in Canberra says Australians fighting with Islamic State get what they deserve if they put themselves in a warzone.

“Whatever they get they deserve to get it,” Abdolhossein Vahaji, Iran’s ambassador to Australia said of the estimated 150 Australians fighting with Islamic State.

“Why should we give them confidence for their safety?”

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“Because no matter what … their nationality, it is not important where they come from.”

“The point is this kind of phenomenon is threatening the security of the world and especially the region.”

“All the governments in the world, they understand that, that’s why they provide this sort of coalition,” he said.

Mr Vahaji was speaking in relation to a deal between Australia and Iran to share information about Australians fighting in Syria and Iraq with Islamic State on Radio National’s Breakfast program.

Mr Vahaji would not disclose what sort of information Iran sought from Australia, or vice-versa.

On Monday, Denison MP Andrew Wilkie said the Iranian regime’s information couldn’t be trusted.

Iran has been accused of many human rights violations including an “alarming rate of executions,” Human Rights Watch said in a message to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop ahead of her Iran visit.

In the letter, Human Rights Watch called on Ms Bishop to pressure Iran to try to stop Shia militia under its influence operating in Iraq from committing acts which contravene the rules of war. Australians fighting with Islamic State could come face-to-face with Shia militia.

“In March Human Rights Watch documented how the militias have looted property of Sunni civilians who had fled fighting, burned their homes and businesses, and destroyed at least two entire villages, in violation of the laws of war.”

“Iran has leverage over these militias and is also providing support to the Iraqi government to fight ISIS.”

Australians fighting in proscribed areas such as Raqqa in Northern Syria would fall foul of legislation aimed at charging foreign fighters if they return home.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was asked whether Australians overseas should be subjected to the sort of treatment Iran has reportedly done, but was unmoved.

“Australians who become involved in overseas conflicts are putting their own lives in mortal danger. Any Australians fighting in Syria or Iraq should end their involvement in the conflict now and leave the conflict zone,” a DFAT spokeswoman said.