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Ratcliffe Says his Wife’s Detention is a Bargaining Chip for Iran

Richard Ratcliffe during his hunger strike in front of the Iranian embassy in London in 2019 (Getty Images)
Richard Ratcliffe during his hunger strike in front of the Iranian embassy in London in 2019 (Getty Images)
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Ratcliffe Says his Wife’s Detention is a Bargaining Chip for Iran

Richard Ratcliffe during his hunger strike in front of the Iranian embassy in London in 2019 (Getty Images)
Richard Ratcliffe during his hunger strike in front of the Iranian embassy in London in 2019 (Getty Images)

Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, has accused Tehran of practicing hostage diplomacy, saying that his wife has become a bargaining chip between the UK and Iran.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ratcliffe revealed that Iran is seeking to prevent his wife's release at the end of her sentence next March, or at least to threaten it.

Authorities in Tehran are charging Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a dual national, with a new wave of accusations to justify holding her in detention for additional time.

In early November, she appeared before a judge to defend herself against “charges of spreading propaganda against the regime,” but the trial was adjourned before Zaghari-Ratcliffe could present her defense and without a clear scheduling of the next hearing.

“It is formally a new charge but the same file as used against her last time. So it is double jeopardy,” he explained to Asharq Al-Awsat.

“We’ve seen other cases where a new file of accusations is brought in midway through, particularly when the case is suddenly adjourned as happened to us last hearing, so we will only know what they convict her of when they tell us,” he said.

Ratcliffe, who has been leading a fierce campaign for his wife's release for four years, considered that the purpose of the new case “is to prevent her release at the end of her sentence next March, or at least to threaten it.”

“The court process is just a veneer to provide a legal framework for hostage taking and justify holding her for as long as they want.”

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested in April 2016 at a Tehran airport as she headed back to Britain with her daughter after a family visit.

She was sentenced to five years in jail after being convicted of plotting to overthrow Iran’s clerical establishment.

Gabriella, Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s daughter, was reunited with her father in the UK on October 10, 2019.

As for Zaghari-Ratcliffe, she received a conditioned release from Evin prison in March 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic but remains under house arrest.

Iranian authorities have told her she will return to Evin prison following the hearings, which have been delayed.

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Red Sea Truce Signals Possible Deal Between Washington, Tehran

Two Iranians walk past an anti-US mural on the wall of the former American embassy in Tehran (EPA). 
Two Iranians walk past an anti-US mural on the wall of the former American embassy in Tehran (EPA). 
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Red Sea Truce Signals Possible Deal Between Washington, Tehran

Two Iranians walk past an anti-US mural on the wall of the former American embassy in Tehran (EPA). 
Two Iranians walk past an anti-US mural on the wall of the former American embassy in Tehran (EPA). 

Before US President Donald Trump announced that the Houthis had pledged to halt attacks on ships in the Red Sea, religious and political institutions in Tehran were already predicting a shutdown of navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait starting May 17.

This prediction coincided with celebrations by senior Iranian officials over the Houthis’ strike on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, at a time when negotiations with the US were stalled after three slow rounds.

The timing raises questions: does the ceasefire signal a loss of a key bargaining chip for Iran, or is it a calculated concession to improve its position ahead of resumed talks next week—especially amid reports that Tehran has requested direct negotiations as part of a broader deal?

On Tuesday, Trump announced the Houthis had agreed to cease their attacks on Red Sea shipping, prompting the US to immediately suspend its airstrikes. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed his country brokered the agreement, ensuring safe commercial navigation in the Red Sea.

A day before the truce, Ali Shamkhani, a senior member of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, hailed the Houthi attack on Ben Gurion as a “strategic blow” and evidence that the resistance front—from Lebanon and Gaza to Iraq and Yemen—was now in control.

Iranian newspaper Kayhan argued that the attack would strengthen Iran’s position in its negotiations with the US, undermine American threats, and thwart Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s efforts to derail diplomacy. The paper framed the strike as proof of Iran and its allies’ regional influence.

Though Iran insists regional militias act independently, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam stated that the ceasefire with the US does not include operations against Israel. Another Houthi official confirmed Oman’s role in brokering the truce to halt attacks on American vessels.

In Washington, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham welcomed the ceasefire, warning that continued Houthi aggression toward Israel would ultimately hurt Iran. “Without Iran, the Houthis do not possess the capability to attack the US, international shipping, or Israel,” he said.

Iran officially welcomed the cessation of US strikes in Yemen. Its Foreign Ministry said it viewed the development positively. However, Israeli media suggested disappointment in Tehran, with Yedioth Ahronoth reporting that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had proposed direct nuclear talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff—a claim strongly denied by Iran.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has previously described negotiations with the US “dishonorable” and “unreasonable,” though he recently allowed them, calling the situation “temporary.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli officials were surprised by Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire and agreement with the Houthis.

Momentum appears to be building toward a broader US-Iran deal. US Vice President J.D. Vance said: “We think there is a deal here that would integrate Iran into the global economy.”

He emphasized that while Iran may pursue civilian nuclear energy, it must be barred from developing nuclear weapons. Vance said talks with Iran are progressing well and will likely result in a formal agreement balancing economic integration with nuclear restrictions.

The New York Times also cited Iranian officials confirming that Tehran used its influence over the Houthis to secure the truce with Washington.