Brit mum held ‘hostage’ in Iran should have been released THREE years ago, new documentary claims

A MOTHER being held “hostage” in Iran should have been released almost three years ago, a new documentary claims.

The family of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 42, had been told December 28, 2017, was the date for her to be set free, BBC Panorama says.

PA:Press Association

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested in Tehran in 2016 and accused of spying[/caption]

But it is claimed a UK arms cash deal failed — for unknown reasons — halting her release.

Iran paid £400million to the British government in the 1970s for 1,500 tanks but they were never delivered.

The money wasn’t repaid and Iran now wants the cash returned.

The then Shah of Iran had placed the order, but was deposed. The latest deal was to settle the row, it is claimed.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, arrested in Tehran in 2016 and accused of spying, has said the ­Iranian authorities told her that her release hinges on the cash being paid back.

Iran denies this, as does the British Foreign Office.

US special representative to Iran, Brian Hook, told Panorama that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is ­effectively a hostage.

He said: “Iran has a sad ­history going back to 1979 of hostage taking. It’s part of Iran’s foreign policy.”

Panorama airs on BBC One at 7.30pm tonight.

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