Iran's Foreign Ministry: Nazanin Zaghari's Case is Not Related to Britain's Debt

A few days after Richard Ratcliffe stated in an interview with Radio Farda that his wife, Nazanin Zaghari, has become a bargaining chip for Tehran with London regarding an old debt, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry rejected these claims. Bahram Qasemi said on Sunday, April 19, to Fars News Agency: "Any speculation regarding the nature of the accusations against Ms. Zaghari and linking them to certain issues in Iran-UK relations is baseless and untrue." Richard Ratcliffe, Nazanin Zaghari's husband, had previously responded to Radio Farda's question about both the British and Iranian governments denying any connection between his wife's case and the mentioned debt, saying: "They deny it, but the messages we receive from the judiciary or from the prosecutor's office and the judge indicate that Nazanin's release is definitely related to the payment of this debt." However, Bahram Qasemi emphasized the "separation of powers in Iran," stating: "This type of projection that Zaghari is a hostage of Iran-UK relations and Iran's financial dealings with British companies is incorrect and nonsense." Richard Ratcliffe mentioned that he received messages from interrogators of Ms. Zaghari indicating that "pressure should be applied to the British government to pay this debt for her release." He stated, "In official statements, they say there is no connection between these two issues, but behind the scenes, a different message is being sent." Nazanin Zaghari, an Iranian-British citizen who worked with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested at Imam Khomeini Airport on April 15, 2016, while visiting Iran to see her mother, and was accused of security crimes such as "participating in activities related to soft overthrow." Although Ms. Zaghari denied all charges, she was sentenced to five years in prison. Boris Johnson, the British Foreign Secretary, visited Tehran last December and reportedly had "frank and constructive discussions" about Nazanin Zaghari's case with Iranian officials. However, at the end of Mr. Johnson's visit to Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the discussions were centered on "Iran's demand from Britain." The issue of this debt dates back about forty years when the then Iranian government paid £600 million to Britain for the purchase of 1,750 Chieftain tanks. Britain delivered 185 tanks to Iran before the revolution but stopped arms sales to Iran after the revolution. Ahead of Boris Johnson's visit to Tehran, the Telegraph reported that the British government was prepared to repay £400 million (equivalent to $527 million) to Iran in exchange for Nazanin Zaghari's release. However, both governments denied this report. Nazanin Zaghari's arrest and five-year prison sentence have drawn multiple reactions from human rights organizations, including UN human rights experts and a group focused on arbitrary detention, who have called for her release.