I am deeply concerned about the detention of Nazanin Zaghari-Racliffe and Kamal Foroughi and I can assure you I am following the development of the events up close. Protection of human rights and free speech are issues of utmost importance to me.
The UK government and other officials continue to make representations on all consular cases involving British nationals in Iran, including Mr Foroughi's and Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's, at all levels with the Iranian Government.
On 17 February the Foreign Secretary discussed Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case with the Iranian Foreign Minister, and I am pleased that her family have confirmed she has legal representation. However, the fact that Iran does not recognise dual nationality makes progress difficult and limits our abilities to help Nazanin and Kamal. As a last update, the new Minister for the Middle East raised Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case in a telephone call with the Iranian Foreign Minister on 21 June.
Please rest assured I am committed to continue this fight for human rights in Iran together with our international friends.
