Iran’s Foreign Ministry Confronts UK Over Unlawful Detention of Iranian Expats
In a significant diplomatic move, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran has summoned Britain’s chargé d’affaires in Tehran to address the illegal arrest of Iranian expatriates. This action highlights the ongoing tensions between Iran and the UK regarding the treatment of its citizens abroad.
On Sunday, Shahram Ghazizadeh, the Director of the Third Department for Western Europe, sought clarification from the British government on the legal grounds for detaining these individuals. He expressed the Iranian government’s strong protest against the arrests, which were accompanied by what he described as unfounded accusations against the Islamic Republic.
Ghazizadeh reiterated Iran’s commitment to adhering to the laws of host countries while condemning the following actions:
- The unlawful detention of Iranian nationals.
- Absence of evidence supporting the accusations made against them.
- The failure to notify the Iranian embassy in London about the arrests.
- Denial of consular access to the detained individuals.
He stated that such actions not only violate established international law but also contravene human rights standards. Furthermore, Ghazizadeh warned that the British government would be held accountable for the repercussions of these politically motivated actions, which seem aimed at exerting pressure on the Islamic Republic.
It is noteworthy that the British police arrested eight men, including seven Iranian nationals, during two separate operations on May 3, 2025.
