Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media, citing Israeli political sources, reported that the Shas movement is expected to withdraw from the government within less than 24 hours
Qatari Foreign Ministry: Negotiations to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are still in the first stage. We are continuing our efforts around the clock
Channel 14, citing a senior Israeli political source, reported: The attacks in Syria and Tel Aviv's offensive policy are coordinated with the Americans
Lebanese Ministry of Health's Emergency Operations Center: Six injured as a result of Israeli airstrikes on the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon
Israeli media: The Israeli Air Force has launched a wave of large-scale attacks on southern Syria
UNRWA: One in 10 children in Gaza suffers from malnutrition
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: 865 killed near aid centers in Gaza in the past six weeks
SANA: The Syrian army has begun withdrawing heavy machinery from Sweida in preparation for handing over the city's neighborhoods to the Internal Security Forces
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Our colleague Akram Daloul is no longer in critical condition and is being treated
Syrian Defense Minister: We announce a complete ceasefire following an agreement reached with city notables and dignitaries in Sweida

Iran condemns UK over arrests of nationals, citing political motives

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 19 May 2025 12:05
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

UK police have arrested five Iranian nationals in multiple cities under anti-terrorism laws, prompting Tehran to demand explanations and accuse London of denying them consular rights.

Listen
  • x
  • Police officers patrol outside the London offices of the political party Reform UK, ahead of an anti-far right protest, in London, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. (AP)
    Police officers patrol outside the London offices of the political party Reform UK in London, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. (AP)

Tehran has formally protested the arrest of several Iranian nationals in the United Kingdom, denouncing the actions as politically motivated and legally indefensible. The move adds new strain to Iran-UK relations amid ongoing diplomatic tensions.

On Sunday, the director of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Third Western European Department met with the British charge d’affaires in Tehran to register a “strong protest” against what Iranian officials described as baseless allegations targeting the Islamic Republic.

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, the arrests "violate the accepted rules and standards of international law and human rights."

The official said that the detained individuals had been “charged without any evidence” and criticized British authorities for denying them consular access and necessary protections.

“These actions are politically motivated,” the Iranian official warned, adding that the UK government “is fully responsible” for the fallout from what Iran perceives as pressure tactics against its citizens abroad.

Arrest details and locations confirmed by UK authorities

British media reported the arrest of four Iranian men on Saturday under the UK’s Terrorism Act. UK police confirmed the individuals were taken into custody in various regions: a 29-year-old in Swindon, a 46-year-old in west London, a 29-year-old in Stockport, and a 40-year-old in Rochdale.

Authorities stated that all four were released the same day after police obtained “various warrants of further detention.”

Related News

Trump to make historic second UK State visit at King's invitation

More Palestine Action supporters arrested by London police

Investigations remain active, with searches ongoing across multiple locations, including Greater Manchester, London, Swindon, and High Wycombe.

In a separate case, a fifth man, aged 24, had previously been arrested in Manchester under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. He has since been released on bail with conditions, pending a court appearance scheduled for May.

Ongoing investigations and rising diplomatic tensions

UK authorities have not released detailed charges against the detained individuals, citing the sensitivity of ongoing investigations.

However, Tehran has framed the arrests as part of a broader campaign of “political persecution” of Iranian nationals in Western countries.

The protest follows a pattern of growing diplomatic friction between Iran and the United Kingdom over recent months, particularly around intelligence and security allegations.

Iran has called on the UK to respect international obligations, warning that any perceived violations of consular rights or due process could have broader consequences for bilateral relations.

In a similar vein, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed the claims in a statement last Thursday, asserting that Tehran has not received any formal communication regarding such allegations through appropriate diplomatic channels.

“Iran stands ready to engage to shed light on what has truly transpired, and we reiterate that UK authorities should afford our citizens due process,” Araghchi wrote on his X account.

Araghchi emphasized Iran’s willingness to assist in any credible investigation, criticizing the UK government’s failure to communicate with Tehran directly, with concern over the political timing and lack of transparency.

In his remarks, Araghchi cautioned against the involvement of external actors seeking to sabotage diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Western nations.

As the investigations continue, the arrests have become another flashpoint in already strained diplomatic ties, with Iran urging British authorities to cease actions it views as unlawful and politically charged.

  • United Kingdom
  • Iran

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025
This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows damage after an Iranian attack at the al Udeid Airbase outside of Doha, Qatar, June 25, 2025 (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

Satellite images show Iran attack damaged US comms dome in Qatari base

  • Politics
  • 11 Jul 2025
An Israeli soldier abandons an excavator during an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades. Arabic text reads "The moment the soldier fled", July, 10, 2025 (Al Qassam Military Media)

Israeli media rue al-Qassam footage, alarmed by fighters among troops

  • Politics
  • 11 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Al Mayadeen: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned
Politics

Exclusive: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned

Rutte, Trump
US & Canada

Trump threatens 100% secondary tariffs on Russia, sets deadline

Syrian government soldiers on a motorcycle pass by a burning tank on the outskirts of Sweida city, where clashes erupted between the Druze community and Bedouine clans, in southern Syria, Monday, July 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli airstrikes target Syrian military factions near Sweida

Lebanon, US, disarmament
MENA

US pressure on Lebanon grows over Resistance disarmament plan

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS