The British ambassador to Iran, Hugo Shorter, has met with two British nationals detained in Iran, both facing security-related charges. The meeting, which took place in Kerman, southern Iran, was attended by Iranian justice department officials and local government representatives, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA.
While the identities of the detainees were not disclosed, the report referred to them as “suspects,” implying that they have not yet been sentenced. The timing and location of their detention remain unclear, though it appears to be recent.
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirmed the meeting and reiterated that the UK government is providing consular assistance. They also acknowledged their ongoing contact with Iranian authorities regarding the case. The FCDO has long advised against travel to Iran due to the significant risk of detention, particularly for British and British-Iranian nationals.
Iran has a history of arresting Western nationals on charges often related to national security. These detentions are sometimes viewed as leverage in broader diplomatic negotiations with the West, a practice Iran has consistently denied.
This meeting follows the release of British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in 2022, after her five-year imprisonment on charges of plotting to overthrow the Iranian government—charges she, her supporters, and human rights groups vehemently denied.
