Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release will be a big relief for Boris Johnson

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been released from custody in Iran, according to Iranian government officials. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the 43-year-old British-Iranian woman, was detained in Iran over five years ago when she was accused of plotting to overthrow the Tehran government. Her case became even more high profile when Boris Johnson was criticised for making a misleading statement during his time as foreign secretary when he claimed she had been ‘teaching people journalism’ in Iran. The comments were cited as proof by the Iranian government that Zaghari-Ratcliffe had engaged in ‘propaganda against the regime’. She has always denied all charges. 

Now it has been reported that Zaghari-Ratcliffe, alongside another British-Iranian Anoosheh Ashouri, are at Tehran airport raising hopes that they could both soon be back in the UK. Speaking this morning, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said securing the freedom of dual national detainees was ‘an absolute priority’.