Thank you for contacting me about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. My thoughts are with Nazanin and her family. Like you, I want to see her, and indeed all other dual nationals detained, released immediately.
The Foreign Office continues to work hard to assist British nationals detained in Iran and engages with the families of those detained on a regular basis. Support is available to them 24 hours a day seven days a week. I know this issue is a top priority for the Foreign Secretary.
It is unacceptable, as the former Foreign Secretary made clear on 14 March, that Iran chose to continue with a second, wholly arbitrary, case against Nazanin. British Embassy staff in Tehran requested access to Nazanin's court hearing, as they have done for previous hearings, as part of their ongoing efforts to secure her release. Iran routinely denies the UK access to Nazanin because they do not recognise her as a dual British national and view her as solely Iranian. I condemn the inhumane and wholly unjustified decision by the Iranian authorities to sentence Nazanin to another year in prison.
Nazanin lost her latest appeal and the above sentence has been upheld with no court hearing. Iran's decision to proceed with these baseless charges is an appalling act of cruelty. As the Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has argued, instead of threatening to return Nazanin to prison, Iran must release her permanently so she can return home.
I have immense sympathy for Nazanin, Richard and their young daughter. It is difficult to imagine how Nazanin's unjust and ongoing detention is for them as a family. I completely understand the actions Richard is taking. The Foreign Secretary has spoken with Nazanin and Richard and her department continues to do everything it can to secure Nazanin's release, and indeed of all British dual nationals arbitrarily detained in Iran. Since his hunger strike started, Richard has met the Foreign Secretary, Minister Cleverly and senior officials.
Liz Truss spoke to her Iranian counterpart on Monday 8 November, raising Nazanin's case and indeed that of all British nationals unfairly detained in Iran. Foreign Office officials met with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister on 11 November, including to press firmly for the immediate release of unfairly detained British nationals.
I appreciate that many wish to see the IMS debt paid to Iran. I know that the Government is exploring all options to resolve this 40 year old case, as ministers have reiterated to the House on numerous occasions. It would not be prudent for me to substantively comment on this matter as legal discussions are ongoing.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.