Tehran: Two British nationals, a man and a woman, have been detained in Iran’s southeastern city of Kerman on security-related charges, Iranian state media reported on Thursday.
Iran’s official news agency released blurred images allegedly showing the two individuals meeting with the British ambassador, though their identities were not disclosed. It remains unclear when they were taken into custody.
British Officials Yet to Respond
The British government has not yet issued an official response regarding the reported detentions. The lack of immediate clarification has fueled speculation over the circumstances surrounding their arrest.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has detained numerous dual nationals and foreign citizens in recent years, often on charges related to espionage and national security.
Allegations of Political Motivations
Human rights organizations and several Western governments have accused Iran of using such arrests as leverage to extract concessions in diplomatic negotiations. Critics argue that many of the security-related charges are fabricated to serve Tehran’s political interests.
However, Iranian authorities have consistently denied these allegations, insisting that all detentions are based on legitimate legal grounds and not politically motivated.
Also Read | US Judge Clears Trump Administration’s Federal Employee Buyout Plan
The latest arrests come amid ongoing tensions between Iran and Western nations, particularly over nuclear negotiations, regional security issues, and accusations of human rights violations.
Also Read | Cook Islands PM Strengthens Ties with China Amid New Zealand’s Concerns
As the situation unfolds, the detentions of the two British nationals are expected to draw further international scrutiny.
