UK will not ‘tolerate intimidation’, foreign secretary tells Iran

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has told Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in a face-to-face meeting that Britain will “not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on UK soil” from groups linked to his country.
Miliband met his Iranian counterpart in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.
The Foreign Office said the pair discussed the war in the Middle East, the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the UK’s “unwavering resolve to combat threats from Iranian-linked groups on UK soil”.
In a readout from the meeting, the department said: “The Foreign Secretary told Araghchi that Iran should choose de-escalation and diplomacy instead of prolonging the war.
“He underlined the importance of restoring freedom of navigation and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the impact continued disruption has on global security and economic stability,” it added.
“The Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK’s unwavering resolve to combat threats from Iranian-linked groups on UK soil, including attacks on the British Jewish community.”
“The Foreign Secretary made clear that Britain will not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on UK soil and set out the measures the Government has taken in response.”
Miliband also brought up the detention of Craig and Lindsay Foreman from East Sussex, who were arrested by the Iranian authorities in January last year as they travelled through the country on a motorcycle trip. They are currently being held in Tehran’s Evin prison.
The Foreign Secretary repeated the call for them to be immediately released, “stressing that their welfare remains a priority for the government”.

Meanwhile, the British government has announced an £88 million (US$116 million) package to deliver healthcare, clean water and protection to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
Support for medical consultations, rehabilitation for children with blast injuries and vital mental health services will be delivered as part of the aid package.
Money will also be spent on sanitation and hygiene services, in addition to waste management.
The package forms part of the £127 million allocated to Palestine in the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget for 2026/27.
Miliband said the funding would “support those desperately in need” as he urged the Israeli government to end its “unacceptable restrictions on Gaza”.
This follows a reset of the UK’s relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which has seen a ban on goods from illegal West Bank settlements.
Both Israel and the US criticised the UK’s stance, with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar announcing countermeasures including closing the UK’s consulate in Jerusalem and banning 11 MPs from entry to the country.
Miliband said: “It is vital that civilians in Gaza have unhindered access to aid.
“The UK is pledging a major new package of aid to provide much-needed healthcare support to those desperately in need.
“We urge the government of Israel to listen to our call to action and take steps to end its unacceptable restrictions on Gaza.”