The identity of the man and woman is not yet known, nor is the exact nature of their alleged crimes. But Iran has form for arresting foreigners and dual-national citizens on trumped-up charges to secure concessions from the international community.
By Marco Giannangeli, Defence and Diplomatic Editor
Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Iranian authorities have arrested two British nationals on security-related charges.
According to Iranian state media, the man and woman—who have not been named—are in custody in Iran’s southeastern city of Kerman.
Iran’s official news agency published blurred images of the two meeting with British ambassador Hugo Shorter in a courtroom n Kerman, but did not identify them.
It was not clear when they were detained.
According to an Iranian media report, “So far, no information has been published about the exact charges of these two British citizens, their judicial process and the circumstances of the meeting.
“Judges in Kerman have announced that more details of this case will be published in the future through official media.”
The man and the woman photographed speaking to UK Ambassador Hugo Shorter (Image: Iranian judiciary / Shargh Media Group)
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It added: “Cases related to security crimes are highly sensitive and any action in this field may have diplomatic and political dimension.”
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners in recent years, mostly on espionage and security-related charges.
Most famous among them was charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was detained for six years on spying charges.
The Islamic State has often been accused of trying to win concessions from other countries through arrests on security charges that may have been trumped up. Tehran denies arresting people for political reasons.
The FCDO has been contacted for comment.