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UK-Iranian Prisoner in Tehran ‘Marked for Early Release’

Iranian-British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is seen in an undated photograph handed out by her family. Ratcliffe Family Handout via REUTERS
Iranian-British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is seen in an undated photograph handed out by her family. Ratcliffe Family Handout via REUTERS
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UK-Iranian Prisoner in Tehran ‘Marked for Early Release’

Iranian-British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is seen in an undated photograph handed out by her family. Ratcliffe Family Handout via REUTERS
Iranian-British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is seen in an undated photograph handed out by her family. Ratcliffe Family Handout via REUTERS

British-Iranian citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is serving a five-year jail sentence in Tehran for her alleged participation in a protest, could be due for early release, her husband has said.

Richard Ratcliffe told AFP on Thursday that his wife had received notification from her Iranian lawyer that she was now "marked for early release.”

"I'm reasonably positive. It's not clear how good the news is, but it's definitely good news," he said.

"He (lawyer) said there's still paperwork to finalize, but it should be over soon -- days to weeks, not months or years."

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, is serving five years for taking part in mass protests in 2009, which she denies.

She was arrested at Tehran airport on April 3, 2016, after visiting relatives with her young daughter, AFP said.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson lobbied for Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release on humanitarian grounds during a trip to Iran earlier this month.

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China Expresses Deep Concern About Israel’s Attacks on Iran, Urges De-Escalation 

Iranians hold posters of nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi (L), Fereidun Abbasi (C) and, IRGC general Gholam Ali Rashid (R) who were killed in Israeli airstrikes during a protest in Tehran, Iran, 13 June 2025. (EPA)
Iranians hold posters of nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi (L), Fereidun Abbasi (C) and, IRGC general Gholam Ali Rashid (R) who were killed in Israeli airstrikes during a protest in Tehran, Iran, 13 June 2025. (EPA)
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China Expresses Deep Concern About Israel’s Attacks on Iran, Urges De-Escalation 

Iranians hold posters of nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi (L), Fereidun Abbasi (C) and, IRGC general Gholam Ali Rashid (R) who were killed in Israeli airstrikes during a protest in Tehran, Iran, 13 June 2025. (EPA)
Iranians hold posters of nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi (L), Fereidun Abbasi (C) and, IRGC general Gholam Ali Rashid (R) who were killed in Israeli airstrikes during a protest in Tehran, Iran, 13 June 2025. (EPA)

China was deeply concerned about the Israeli attacks on Iran and urged de-escalation for regional peace and stability, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

"China opposes any infringement upon Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and opposes any escalation of tensions and expansion of conflicts. A sudden rise in regional tensions is not in the interests of any party," Spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular press briefing.

Lin also said China was ready to play a constructive role in easing the situation.

Israel launched large-scale strikes against Iran on Friday, saying it was the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. Iran promised a harsh response with Israel saying it was working to intercept about 100 drones launched towards its territory.

Beijing and Tehran share friendly ties, supported by China's search for energy security through Iran's oil shipments.

Earlier on Friday, the Chinese embassies in Israel and Iran issued advisories to citizens warning of the "complex and severe" security situation in the two countries. The embassy in Tel Aviv also warned those in Israel to prepare for possible missile, rocket and drone attacks.