Two British citizens detained in Iran

Two British citizens have been detained in Iran, the government has said.

Both are being supported by the UK Foreign Office, according to a spokesperson.

It comes following reports of the detention from Iranian state media yesterday.

A spokesperson said: “We are providing consular assistance to two British Nationals detained in Iran and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Iranian state media said on Wednesday that a man and woman were in custody in Iran’s southeastern city of Kerman on security-related charges.

The Foreign Office warn that people are at risk of “arrest, detention and a death sentence” if they travel to Iran.

The department says that Tehran does not recognise dual nationality, and people with Iranian citizenship will be considered Iranian.

The Foreign Office states: “Recent media reports suggest Iran is willing to detain people who have been visiting relatives inside Iran. Having travelled to and from Iran previously without issue does not guarantee your safety.”

Iran has previously arrested and held British citizens for extended periods of time.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, who are dual British-Iranian citizens, were released in March 2022 after years held captive in Iran.

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