UK Foreign Secretary's 'Doubts' About Diplomatic Support for Zaghari

Hours after Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari who is imprisoned in Iran, met with the UK Foreign Secretary, Mr. Ratcliffe reported on the 'doubts and concerns' of this government official regarding diplomatic support for Mrs. Zaghari. Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe, an employee of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested in April 2016 while traveling to Iran for a holiday and was later accused of 'plotting' to overthrow the Islamic Republic. While Mrs. Zaghari denies the government's accusations against her, a court in Tehran sentenced her to five years in prison. The issue of Nazanin Zaghari's imprisonment has been in the news for weeks following Boris Johnson's comments about her in the UK, which led to this senior official having to apologize for his remarks. Following this news, Reuters reported on the possibility of consular support from the UK for Mrs. Zaghari as one of the options for her release. On Monday, November 13, Reuters quoted a spokesperson for Theresa May, the UK Prime Minister, stating that Ms. May's cabinet would do everything possible for the release of Mrs. Zaghari Ratcliffe. At that time, one of the proposed options for the release of this Iranian-British citizen was providing consular support for her. The UK Foreign Office's statement regarding Boris Johnson's meeting with Richard Ratcliffe on Wednesday also mentioned that Mr. Johnson wants to assure him that the UK government will work for his wife's release on humanitarian grounds. Now, Reuters reported on Wednesday, November 15, following this meeting, that the UK Foreign Secretary has 'considerations and doubts' regarding the 'granting of diplomatic support' to this imprisoned citizen. Reuters noted this point quoting Richard Ratcliffe, but did not provide further explanation: it is unclear what the Foreign Secretary's 'considerations' are and the reasons for his doubts about this action. Mr. Ratcliffe has also expressed hope that Boris Johnson can bring his wife back with him after his visit to Iran. The report from Reuters stated that Boris Johnson will travel to Iran 'in the coming weeks.' Previously, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, also mentioned on Monday about the UK Foreign Secretary's trip to Tehran and its relation to Nazanin Zaghari's case, stating that this trip will likely take place by the end of this year, which is about a month and a half away. According to Mr. Qasemi, the foreign ministers of Iran and the UK also discussed Mrs. Zaghari's issue during a phone call. In his first comments regarding Mrs. Zaghari's imprisonment in Iran, the UK Foreign Secretary stated that Mrs. Zaghari was engaged in teaching journalism in Iran before her arrest. Following this comment, Nazanin Zaghari was summoned to court again without prior notice. Following this incident, the Thomson Reuters Foundation issued a statement accusing Boris Johnson of potentially extending her prison term with his inaccurate remarks about the reason for Nazanin Zaghari's travel.