In Iran, Johnson calls for Briton’s release

Also touches on the nuclear deal

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (right) and his British counterpart Boris Johnson shake hands as they pose for media prior to their talks in Tehran, on December 9, 2017. Mr. Johnson arrived in Tehran Saturday, where he is expected to discuss the fate of detained British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is serving a five-year prison sentence for allegedly plotting to overthrow Iran’s government.

Britain’s Foreign Minister visited Iran on Saturday to press for the release of British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe amid accusations at home that one of his gaffes has seriously harmed her case.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson held talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif which also touched on the landmark 2015 nuclear deal.

Mr. Johnson is due to meet President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday.

Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian citizen, was arrested at Tehran airport on April 3, 2016, after visiting relatives with her young daughter. Iranian authorities accused her of links to mass protests in 2009, which she denies, and sentenced her to five years in jail for sedition.

Her case has become highly politicised, especially after a “slip of the tongue” by Mr. Johnson last month when he stated that Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been training journalists in Iran, which has been used by the Iranian authorities to help justify the new charges.