anoosheh ashoori's ap experience.brings home just what that experience of that lack of hope, that loss of hope and not being able to imagine and picture a day like today. it feels like an incredibly difficult thing that he will have to try and now reconcile from a place of not imagining this at all happening to it now happening. did you have those moments, not believing it was going to happen? i believing it was going to happen?— believing it was going to ha . en? . ., , happen? i certainly did. on the one thing that _ happen? i certainly did. on the one thing that we _ happen? i certainly did. on the one thing that we all _ happen? i certainly did. on the one thing that we all have - happen? i certainly did. on the one thing that we all have in i one thing that we all have in common is that we are innocent people, taken hostage and thrust into an impossible set of circumstances that we have no control over. and during those initial phases when all of us were held in solitary confinement and interrogated relentlessly,

anoosheh ashoori also arrested.ve been saying, it was a very surprise announcement that we found out and they are finally home and about to get reunited with their families. you are watching bbc news, and you are seeing live pictures from raf brize norton, where the plane had landed. we saw nazanin and anoosheh ashoori coming off the plane. let's bring back simonjones, who is at the airbase for us. i am sure richard, her husband, and both theirfamily sure richard, her husband, and both their family members, must be thrilled to see them finally stepping off that plane? yes. stepping off that plane? yes, it is a moment _ stepping off that plane? yes, it is a moment they _ stepping off that plane? yes, it is a moment they have - stepping off that plane? yes, | it is a moment they have been waiting for four years. both families —— waiting forfor years. both families campaigning tirelessly for this moment, some of it in the public eye and some of it behind the scenes. that is what they wanted to see, what we're seeing he

all of them with anoosheh ashoori. i'm lewis vaughanjones, this is bbc news. hello there.e rain having cleared away, we had the sunnier skies across more western parts of scotland. there was almost an inch of rain in wiltshire and, for a while, we actually had some quite heavy rain here in lincolnshire as well. with that wetter weather clearing away out into the north sea and these showers yet to arrive from the northwest, we're going to have some clearer skies developing. so, by the time we get to early thursday morning, it could be quite cold and frosty in a few places. temperatures will be close to freezing, maybe down to —4 or so in the northeast of scotland. we'll find those showers coming in from the northwest across scotland and northern ireland — notjust one band of showers, but two, and they could be quite heavy as well. some sunshine in between. those showers tending to die out as they move over the irish sea, one or two in the afternoon for northern parts of england and wales. but for much of england and wales, it will be dry with more the way of sunshine this t

the plane carrying anoosheh ashoori and - carrying anoosheh ashoori and nazanin zaghari ratcliffe islight tracker 24 which is something anyone can access at home. you can see the flight number, departure heading to brighton which is of course the airfield used traditionally just outside course the airfield used traditionallyjust outside of london for diplomatic flights in highly sensitive political flights. for diplomatic flights in highly sensitive politicalflights. i don't know if were going to get to see either nazanin zaghari ratcliffe or anoosheh ashoori coming down the steps. i hope there will be that opportunity but they'd be understandable if they don't want to do that given how tired they must be. even if they manage a bit of rest on the plane. the important thing i guess will be getting to the vip lounge for them to be able to be reunited with their relatives. that i will a spot will be a private moment. we will see. we will have coverage of that on the bbc news channel with my colleague louis who is here. should bejust a one o'clock, it newsday will be on air but i know lu

zaghari-ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori home.— zaghari-ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori home. . , , . , ew york in september and met minister abdul leanne, to research the relationship and be clear that we are serious about resolving the outstanding issues that iran had, and they were clear they were serious about resolving the outstanding issues we had, and i do want to pay tribute to the fantastic foreign office officials who have been tenacious in travelling to tehran and getting this done. in what is a very difficult circumstance, because as the right honourable gentleman is aware, paying money to iran with the intensive sanctions regime in place is not easy, even though this is very clearly a legitimate debt. and i can completely assure him that we do have humanitarian guarantees. what i can't do is go into the details, because that is confidential between parties. i have had this thoroughly checked out across government to ensure that we have those guarantees that it will be used for humanitarian purposes. on the subject of morad tahbaz, who i spoke to at the end of last year when

with the iranian administration, securing her release, as well as that of fellow dual national, anoosheh ashoori. we'll speak to the foreign office nash -- as well as your friends and anoosheh's mp, during the course of this program. it's thursday, the 17th of march. st. patrick's day! she's home. nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe arrives back in the uk after a six year ordeal in iran. a wave and a smile as she walked off the plane, along with fellow detainee, anoosheh ashoori, just after 1:00 this very morning. nazanin reunited with her loved ones on british soil as her husband says they can be a normal family once again. that's lovely. this is the moment that a young girl got her parents back together again. in other news, no safe haven fears for the well-being of hundreds and the city of mariupol, after russian forces bombed a theater being used as a shelter. in the southern ports of odessa, the streets are deserted as fears of a russian attack grow. chelsea goes through to the champions league quarterfinals, despite sanctions having over their love and current owner, roman abramovich. ♪ ♪ ♪ ed sheer

it is anoosheh ashoori, who has also spent ears in “ail. , anoosheh ashoori, who has also spent years is quite an emotional— years in jail. it is quite an emotional day _ years in jail. it is quite an emotional day today, - years in jail. it is quite an - emotional day today, definitely feels like we are on the home run now, but until she leaves that airport, we can't quite believe it, but really positive developments. we found out about an hour ago that now and ian had been picked up and taken to the airport with her family —— nazanin. her parents weren't allowed to come into the room with her so she is still under iranian control in the airport, so she is still not free but it definitely feels like she is about to be.— she is about to be. since her arrest, nazanin _ she is about to be. since her arrest, nazanin has - she is about to be. since her arrest, nazanin has endured| she is about to be. since her - arrest, nazanin has endured solitary confinement, psychological torture and the agony of separation from her daughter. she served a five year sentence and was immediately given an

anoosheh ashoori attempted suicide injail he was under anoosheh ashoori attempted suicide in jail hetheir way home and we understand they will land at raf brize norton in the early hours of the morning and then the families can start to try to rebuild their lives. ., ., ., , ., ,, , ., caroline hawley, thank you. let's get the very latest on the situation in ukraine and russia's invasion. reeta is live in the western city of lviv for us now. reeta. here in ukraine, attacks by russian forces have continued three weeks into the war even as both sides talk of possible compromise. in the capital, kyiv, the emergency services said russia had shelled a residential building. the city is currently observing a 35—hour curfew. although russian troops have pushed forward towards the outskirts of the capital, their progress in the north has been slower than in the south. they've faced serious logistical problems with many vehicles reportedly running out of fuel, as well as strong ukrainian resistance. our first report this evening is from jeremy bowen in kyiv. awarning, it a warning, it contains

anoosheh ashoori was imprisoned for four years in anoosheh ashoori was imprisoned for fouryears in iran for four years in iran and i can talk about one iranians who has been sentenced to ten years. he just mourned the death of his only son when he was just given two years, a few days of philo to bury him. and he is for ten years only for the crime of converting from islam to christianity and choosing to exercise his religious belief. many others who have expressed their political opinion and social activists are showing cells or have similar stories. activists are showing cells or have similarstories. long prison sentences on charges that have never been proven by a government that is increasingly paranoid about its legitimacy, civility and the sort of behaviour continues with no end in sight. behaviour continues with no end in siuht. ., ,. , ., sight. you describe that government is one that is — sight. you describe that government is one that is increasingly _ is one that is increasingly paranoid. do you think that will lead it to continue to behave in the same way, for example, impri

anoosheh ashoori _ as happy at his release. anoosheh ashoori is — as happy at his release.er, freed as part _ ashoori is a retired engineer, freed as part of— ashoori is a retired engineer, freed as part of the same deal that brought— as part of the same deal that brought nazanin home. it�*s as part of the same deal that brought nazanin home.- as part of the same deal that brought nazanin home. it's a very elatin: brought nazanin home. it's a very eiating feeling — brought nazanin home. it's a very elating feeling to _ brought nazanin home. it's a very elating feeling to think _ brought nazanin home. it's a very elating feeling to think this - brought nazanin home. it's a very elating feeling to think this is - elating feeling to think this is finished. _ elating feeling to think this is finished, we _ elating feeling to think this is finished, we don't _ elating feeling to think this is finished, we don't have - elating feeling to think this is finished, we don't have to . elating feeling to think this is i finished, we don't have to wake elating feeling to think this is -

with theirfamilies anoosheh ashoori have been spending time with their families after being releasedoori had spent several years in prison, after being accused of spying — charges they've always denied. but the former us secretary of state, mike pompeo, has accused the uk government of paying $400 million in "blood money" to iran in return. it is the early hours of the morning and seven—year—old gabriella cannot wait to see her mother. very much in the background now, the foreign secretary, as everyone strains for a first glimpse of the precious cargo. at last she comes out. can you even begin to imagine what she is feeling? is that mummy? mummy! that's mummy. richard ratcliffe hasn't seen his wife for almost six years, but he knows this is a moment for mother and daughter. crying a hug to make up for all the ones they've missed. the rest of the family will be queueing up for hugs as well after gabriella. she queueing up for hugs as well after gabriella. ,, .., , , , gabriella. she competes with these two for my attention and _ gabriella. she competes with these two for my attention

just a reminder as to our top stories, nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori are back in thears of detention in iran. nazanin's sister in law said this, a little girl has finally got her mom and dad back. the fox anchor terry confirmed that 400 million dollar debt to iran had been paid to secure their release is. meanwhile, russia has condemned the u.s. president for branding glad mere putin a war criminal, over the deaths of civilians in ukraine. boris johnson has said that things are changing in saudi arabia. the human rights groups expressed outrage after the gulf kingdom executed three people on the very day of his visit. let's return to our top story. after years of iranian detention, nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori arrived home this morning. skies katie born field reports but. >> this is the moment they were dreaming of. nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori both held four years in iran, walking off the plane and on to british soil again. finally, they are home and they are safe. [inaudible] were they landed, an emotional reunion with their famil

you can see it anoosheh ashoori with or they are the other british hostage that has been released, anooshehineer who was arrested and then held. a third british national has been released from prison but has been furloughed. in other words he has to stay in tehran. afterfour years in tehran. after four years in detention tehran. afterfour years in detention in many diplomatic efforts to release them some are asking why this is happening now. here's ross atkins nazanin zaghari ratcliffe has been released by aransas appears he is on the plane home. the british iranian detainee anoosheh ashoori has been released to. so far nazanin zaghari ratcliffe six years in detention are over and the reasons why have little to do with the charges of spying she pays, no evidence was ever offered. rather is the disease james landau puts it... two factors help explain why that calculation has changed. the first is a debt. calculation has changed. the first isa debt. . . calculation has changed. the first is a debt. ., ., ., ., calculation has changed. the first isadebt. ., ., ., ., , is a debt. nazanin zaghar

another british iranian, anoosheh ashoori, detained for more than four years, is also heading back to uk. also tonight, here in ukraine, russia goes on attacking key cities even as peace talks continue. ukrainian officials say a theatre in mariupol that was being used as shelter for civilians has been destroyed. russia denies attacking it. russia counts its dead in the war, as vladimir putin insists the invasion is going to plan. and borisjohnson in saudi arabia wants fresh oil and gas supplies to reduce the west's reliance on russia. and coming up in the sport, on the bbc news channel... we'll have all the reaction as liverpool lock horns with arsenal looking to cut manchester city's lead at the top of the premier league to a point. good evening. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe is due to arrive back in the uk in the next few hours, having been released from detention in iran after nearly six years. her husband richard ratcliffe says he's "deeply grateful" for her release, and that he and their daughter gabriella, are "looking forward to a new life." mrs zaghari—ratcliffe, who has dual brit

she walked down the steps of the plane along with fellow british—iranian anoosheh ashoori, after theird into a reception building at the air base. they had flown back via a brief stopover in oman. our correspondent simonjones was at raf brize norton when nazanin landed and gave this update. we know that this journey back from iran today has taken around 12 hours but the campaign to get nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe freed and allowing her to return back to the united kingdom has taken almost six years. there has been a huge amount of diplomacy, stepped up in the past six months or so and then, really, a whirl—wind 24 hours when the family were suddenly told that there was a possibility that nazanin could be returning home and could be returning home very quickly. it is something that they feared may never happen and even once the news emerged yesterday about a possible return to the united kingdom, they almost did not dare believe it. but now this has fully happened. she is now back in the uk and the reunion is certainly going to be an emotional one. we have heard from richard ratcliffe who

anoosheh ashoori speaking to caroline hawley.e royal family will gather at westminster abbey for a thanksgiving service, in memory of prince philip. it's hoped the queen will be able to attend. it will also be prince andrew's first public appearance, since his father's funeral last april. for so many families, like the royals, who had to hold funerals under covid restrictions, later celebrations of a life, are an important part of the grieving process. our royal correspondent, daniela relph has more. giving thanks for 99 years of life. as a public servant. as a naval officer. and as a family man. it's almost a year since prince philip died. like so many others, the royal family held a funeral with only 30 guests. the queen, a vivid image of grieving during covid restrictions. seeing her dressed in black alone, this speaks of so, so many people's experience. even in death, really, losing somebody, she still keeps that dignity. a chance to say thank you, i think, would be wonderful, and healing as well at the same time. the thanksg

two british—iranians, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori, who've been freed after years intion in tehran, have land back in the uk, shortly after one o'clock this morning. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe was arrested in 2016, and mr ashhoori has been held since 2017. both were arrested while visiting their families. their release came after the uk paid off a debt to iran of nearly £400 million dating back to the 1970s. 0ur correspondent, simonjones, was at raf brize norton when nazanin landed. we know that this journey back from iran today has taken around 12 hours but the campaign to get nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe freed and allowing her to return back to the united kingdom has taken almost six years. there has been a huge amount of diplomacy, stepped up in the past six months or so and then, really, a whirl—wind 2a hours when the family were suddenly told that there was a possibility that nazanin could be returning home and could be returning home very quickly. it's something that they feared may never happen and even once the news emerged yesterday about a possible return to the uni

. >> and anoosheh ashoori was born in the u.k.nd trapped in iran, and part of his nationality is american and it is hard to get him out. >> the issues are extremely complex and i'm not party to some of the detail about that. but we've got to keep the pressure up, you know. obviously the house encountered some change over the recent months, i think in iran especially, a bit of a change there with, the government changing, and so on, and so it's very, if there is a new window of opportunity, we must press harder and press to fully open so that all of the detain and the longstanding issues can be resolved. >> labor is completely content with 90 million being paid to the iranian government? >> well, it's been a cross opinion party view actually for a very long time, that this is a debt that we owed iran. it's not a ransom. it's not a payoff. this is money that we have owed that country for decades actually. so you know, that's something that cross parties we've all been calling for that to be found a way, for that to be paid, so that

emotions overflowing too four anoosheh ashoori's family. her feelings with one word. happiness. it was just after 1am that the plane touched down at raf brize norton. the two released detainees looking relaxed and relieved to be back on british soil. the foreign secretary one of the first to greet them. i've met the families, they are safe and well. people are in very, very good spirits. i think it's been a really difficult 48 hours. the expectation that they would be released, but we weren't sure right until the last minute, so it has been very emotional, but also a really happy moment the families. the journey back from iran to brize norton has taken around 12 hours, but nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's family have been campaigning for almost six years for her release. now they are set to begin what they are calling a new chapter in their lives. it's a new life, a normal life. and there will be bumps, no doubt, and all the normal squabbles we had before, but, yes, really looking forward to seeing her. nazanin was arrested in 2016 after visitin

and that nazanin and anoosheh ashoori will return home back to the uk.ho have ordeal for nazanin and iran and their families who have suffered greatly. i am sure that everybody across the uk is delighted for them being released and will be celebrating that fact. mira; being released and will be celebrating that fact. being released and will be celebratin: that fact. ~ , .. . celebrating that fact. why now, what has changed? _ celebrating that fact. why now, what has changed? we _ celebrating that fact. why now, what has changed? we have _ celebrating that fact. why now, what has changed? we have been - celebrating that fact. why now, what has changed? we have been working hard over the — has changed? we have been working hard over the last _ has changed? we have been working hard over the last six _ has changed? we have been working hard over the last six months - has changed? we have been working hard over the last six months to - hard over the last six months to ensure that we were able to secure the release of these detainees. and to make sure that th

. >>> the former iranian hostage anoosheh ashoori is accusing boris johnson of snubbing his family'sppeals. the 67-year-old was held for five years before being freed last week, alongside nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe. we spoke to him and his first interview since his release. >> this, the moment of freedom, which took five years to land. for these two, and all of those around them, it was long overdue. anoosheh ashoori back on safe soil. >> how did that moment feel for you. >> when i think about it now, it's very difficult to grasp all of it, because there are many times that i dreamt about sherry, about my kids, and i used to wake up to the feeling of my coffin we used to call because the ceiling was about a half a meter above our head, waking up to a ceiling about a few meters away from you, it was unbelievable. >> the end of a nightmare that began when this british iranian citizen was kidnapped from the streets of tehran in 2017. >> as i went down the road, on the street, suddenly a car pulled over, and four men, i think it was four, they jumped out, and said are you mr. ashoori and

as you say anoosheh ashoori also coming home to his family, another british iranian dual national wrongly at one point he too is coming home to his family. ijust one point he too is coming home to his family. i just think nobody can be a these families being reunited with their loved ones after so long. i think it has been rigid red cliffs relentless campaigning. his absolute determination to tell the truth about hostage diplomacy. this was, these were prisoners who were taken hostage. they were held because i read wanted britain to settle this for hundred million pound arms debt which is finally been settled. you're right, at the beginning the foreign office didn't want richard to talk about that. many families were told to stay quiet about it and they did say quiet. and richard refused to do that. as a result i think, this is why it nazanin zaghari ratcliffe is coming home today. and other british iranian nationals are being released. rab. nationals are being released. rob, should we give _ nationals are being released. rob, should we give the _ nationals are being released. rob, should

she was freed along with a retired engineer, anoosheh ashoori, who was also convicted for alleged spyinglanding in about a0 minutes. we'll bring you all the latest. hello there. there's going to be a different look to the weather on thursday and a change of fortune for much of the country as well. with the rain having cleared away, we had the sunnier skies across more western parts of scotland. there was almost an inch of rain in wiltshire and, for a while, we actually had some quite heavy rain here in lincolnshire as well. with that wetter weather clearing away out into the north sea and these showers yet to arrive from the northwest, we're going to have some clearer skies developing. so, by the time we get to early thursday morning, it could be quite cold and frosty in a few places. temperatures will be close to freezing, maybe down to —a or so in the northeast of scotland. we'll find those showers coming in from the northwest across scotland and northern ireland — notjust one band of showers, but two, and they could be quite heavy as well. some sunshine in between. those showers tendi

anoosheh ashoori spent almost five years in a jail he describes as hell.s is the reality, and i don't want to wake up to my cell. he drew a sketch of one of the cells. this was where he was held after he attempted several times to take his own life. can you describe that hell for us? i know in your cell, you had bedbugs, cockroaches, there were rats, but what was it like? i mean, there are people there who are like zombies. theyjust go back and forth, and they are... sometimes, you see they're talking to themselves and gesticulating and they are in their own world. because of what they've been through? yes. when you're in your cell, you are always looking behind you, you are always trying to remember all the good memories that you had with your family. you're living in your memories, i think? yeah, in fact, you are living in your memories. and is it those memories that keep you going? yes. otherwise i would go insane. why do you think you were arrested? you always ask, "why me?" it wasn't me who was important. i wasn't important to any sides. it was the pa

but finally today she's heading home, along with anoosheh ashoori, a retired engineer arrested in 2017r an unfair trial. this afternoon, anoosheh ashoori and nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe arrived in oman to catch another flight that will bring them home. we bought him his favourite beer... his daughter elika told me the family had also got in champagne and cake and could hardly believe the news. it's been nearly five years of being inside a prison cell, so to suddenly, in a matter of 24 hours, have that turnaround completely and to come back to normal life is very daunting as well as it is amazing. so, you know, we still have challenges ahead, but we're going to face it together as a family. there will be adjustments, too, for nazanin and herfamily, who haven't all been together for six long years. homecoming's a journey, not an arrival. i don't think it willjust be today, there will be a whole process, and hopefully we'll look back in years to come and be a normal family and this will be a chapter in our lives, but there are many more chapters to come. this is how it's been for the past f

let me say, we are absolutely ecstatic to see nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashoori back homewhen hostages return. it is a wonderful moment but also has huge difficulties. the families on the hostages had been through a huge trauma, whether it is short—term or long—term. and they have to come to terms with that, finding out what it is like living together again. and all the impact of what they have been through, having to sort through that, and then takes a lot of time. what having to sort through that, and then takes a lot of time. what sort of su ort then takes a lot of time. what sort of support is _ then takes a lot of time. what sort of support is there _ then takes a lot of time. what sort of support is there for _ then takes a lot of time. what sort of support is there for them - then takes a lot of time. what sort. of support is there for them through the process?— the process? hostage international is there to provide _ the process? hostage international is there to provide dedicated - is there to provide dedicated caseworkers to both family members and to the returni

travelling with her was the british—iranian man anoosheh ashoori, who has also been allowed to return. the retired civil engineer had been detained for almost five years on spying charges, which he too denied. one other headline: the authorities in the besieged ukrainian city of mariupol say a theatre that was being used by large numbers of civilians as a shelter has been destroyed by russian bombing. city officials say the building was deliberately targeted. russia has denied carrying out the attack. now on bbc news, platform five. since russia's invasion of ukraine, more than two million refugees have fled the country. it's the largest movement of people in europe since the second world war. can you believe this? can you? hundreds of thousands of them have flowed through lviv station. the story of this station is the story of ukraine's people — and the war that's consuming them. this is platform 5. jenia is saying goodbye to his family — his wife, oksana, 12—year—old son ilya and nine—year—old anna. they are on their way to poland, but men of fighting age are not allowed to board th

sky news you can watch the full version of that compelling interview with anoosheh ashoori throughout the day on sky news in sky news youtube channel. states 6:15, a reminder of our top stories. more diplomacy in europe as joe biden meets european commission president, after the ukrainian president said eu leaders acted too late with bringing in sanctions on russia. as we just heard, anoosheh ashoori, the british iranian man detained in or -- has told sky news that boris johnson did not respond to any appeals from his family while he was in prison. the duke and duchess of cambridge have arrived in the bahamas for day six of their royal caribbean tour. the country's prime minister, philip davis, said their visit was long overdue. ♪ ♪ ♪ a range of stories on this morning's front pages. the telegraph leads with president biden's latest warning, if russia uses chemical weapons in ukraine, nato will respond in kind. that leads to the guardian as well, who carries a similar story, with a photo of yesterday's g7 leaders in brussels. the times follow suit and also has a story inside the front

now she is back at the airport with fellow british national anoosheh ashoori, who has also spent yearsaration from her daughter. she served a five year sentence and was immediately given another. her husband richard has campaigned around the clock for her release, last october going on hunger strike in an act of desperation to pressure the uk government to do more to get her home. he has always said she was being held as a hostage for a debt that britain owes iran. in the 1970s, iran bought more than 1,500 chieftain tanks from the uk but, after the islamic revolution, the deal wasn't completed and iran has been demanding its money back for decades. this is the moment that state—run television announced the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. they said the money britain owes iran has now been paid. i suspect that when she touches down, it will be a very intimate party, this is a moment for richard and gabriella and not anybody else. i suspect it will be very intimate but this weekend will be one hell of a celebration. this was nazanin's favourite spot to come with her daughter when sh

another british iranian, anoosheh ashoori, who was detained for 5 years, is also now back home. hug to make up for all the ones they missed. at the last birthday party, she rang up... bringing mummy home and showing her off will really validate gabriella's insecurities. she does have two parents who love her. he too has a loving familyjust as happy at his release. anoosheh ashoori is a retired engineer, freed as part of the same deal that brought nazanin home. it's a very elating feeling to think this is finished, we don't have to wake up and fight any more. and he also now gets to sleep in his own bed. sleeping with no bedbugs, in peace and quiet without 15 other people in the room, it's... yeah, it must be... i mean, i can't even begin to understand how it must feel. this man is still left in iran, an environmentalist born in london, accused of spying after tracking endangered animals with cameras. it's confusing, distressing and we just sort of feel that he's a pawn on a global chessboard. so, it's very difficult to fathom. she too was used by iran as a political pawn and, af

nazanin flew home in the early hours of thursday morning, along with another british national, anoosheh ashoorito give the government any credit today. i was told many, many times that, "oh, we're going to get you home." that never happened. so there was a time that i felt like, do you know what? i'm not even going to trust you, because i've been told many, many times that i was going to be taken home, but that never happened. how many foreign secretaries does it take for someone to come home? five? it should have been one of them eventually. so now, here we are. what's happened now should have happened six years ago. at nazanin's request, the daughter of a british born iranian left behind in tehran was there too. morad tahbaz is a 66—year—old wildlife conservationist serving a ten—year term who thought he was part of the deal that brought nazanin home. roxanne tahbaz made a direct appeal to the government. to prime ministerjohnson and foreign secretary truss, we beg you to please stand by your word and bring back both of my parents, my father and my mother. gabriella told me on the phone one d

but finally today she's heading home, along with anoosheh ashoori, a retired engineer arrested in 2017ter an unfair trial. we brought him his favourite beer... his daughter elika told me the family had also got in champagne and cake and could hardly believe the news. it's been nearly five years i of being inside a prison cell, so to suddenly, in a matter of 24 hours, have that turnaround - completely and to come backi to normal life is very daunting as well as it is amazing. so, you know, we still havel challenges ahead, but we're going to face it together as a familx _ there will be adjustments, too, for nazanin and herfamily, who haven't been all together for six long years. homecoming's a journey, not an arrival. i don't think it will be just today, there will be a whole process, and hopefully we'll look back in years to come and be a normal family and this will be a chapter in our lives, but there are many more chapters to come. this is how it's been for the past few months, precious moments of parenting from thousands of miles away. but very soon now, she'll be back with them. ric

emotions overflowing, too, for anoosheh ashoori's family.f brize norton, the two released detainees looking relaxed and relieved to be back on british soil. the foreign secretary one of the first to greet them. i've met the families, they are safe and well. people are in very, very good spirits. i think it's been a really difficult 48 hours — the expectation that they would be released, but we weren't sure right until the last minute, so it's been very emotional, but also a really happy moment for the families. the journey back from iran to brize norton has taken around 12 hours, but nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's family have been campaigning for almost six years for her release. now they're set to begin what they're calling a new chapter in their lives. it's a new life, a normal life. and there will be bumps, no doubt, and all the normal squabbles we had before but, yeah, really looking forward to seeing her. nazanin was arrested in 2016 after visiting her parents in iran. she was accused of spying, then of plotting to overthrow the government

>> she flew home in the early hours of thursday morning along with another british national, anoosheh ashoorie u.k. repaid a long-overdue military debt. but she was not keen to give the government any credit today. >> i have seen five foreign secretaries change over the course of six years, that is unprecedented given the politics of the u.k. i respect whatever you believe but i was told many times, we are going to get you home. that never happened. there was a time where i felt, i am not even go to trust you because i've been told many times that i would be taken home, but it never happened. how many foreign secretaries does it take for something to come home? now, here we are. what has happened now should have happened six years ago. i always felt like i am holding this black hole in my heart, all these years. but i am just going to leave that blackhole on the plane when the plane left. i will that live the rest of my life with a grudge over the past six years. >> can i ask how you felt as you walked down the steps? is it too early to see what the future now holds? >> it is very early to th

the release of nazanin, and anoosheh ashoori, the timing was interesting, because it happened duringhe nuclear negotiations have been suspended, we don't know when they're going to go back, and maybe the british government, the british side decided, "ok, maybe this is the time to do it," because the nuclear deal might not happen and maybe the time has come to pay this debt to iran and get them released. the nuclear discussions, tell us what happened with those — what's the problem there? in 2015, iran and six world powers agreed to a nuclear deal. the deal was for iran to reduce the size of its nuclear activities, and for that, in 2016, these sanctions were lifted. iran was back trading with the international community, with the outside world, until president trump came to power in the us, he didn't like this deal at all and he promised to pull out, and in fact he did. the result of that was that the americans reimposed sanctions and called a new policy, of maximum pressure on iran, and the iranians started going back to their nuclear programme. and we're now back to negotiations to

travelling with mrs zaghari—ratcliffe was the british—iranian man anoosheh ashoori, who has also beenreturn to the uk. the retired civil engineer had been detained for almost five years on spying charges, which he too denied. now on bbc news, it's hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk, i'm stephen sackur. with the world focused on russia's invasion of ukraine, it's easy to overlook one other key element of vladimir putin's greater russia strategy — moscow's ever tighter grip on ukraine's northern neighbour belarus, now used as a launchpad for the ukraine assault. belarus's authoritarian president lukashenko seems to be in putin's pocket, whether he likes it or not. my guest is exiled leader of the anti—lukashenko movement, svetla na tikhanovskaya. is the fate of belarus now tied to the fate of ukraine? svetla na tikhanovskaya, welcome to hardtalk. hello. it's nice to have you in our studio. tell me, what are your feelings as you see your country, belarus, being used as a launchpad for vladimir putin's invasion of ukraine? you know, on 2a february, we woke up in a new reality, and we understoo

nazanin flew home in the early hours of thursday morning, along with another british national, anoosheh ashoorieen to give the government any credit today. i was told many, many times that, "oh, we're going to get you home." that never happened. so there was a time that i felt like, do you know what? i'm not even going to trust you, because i've been told many, many times that i was going to be taken home, but that never happened. how many foreign secretaries does it take for someone to come home? five? it should have been one of them eventually. so now, here we are. what's happened now should have happened six years ago. she didn't want to answer questions about the detail of her prison ordeal, including solitary confinement. it will always haunt me. i always felt like i am holding this black hole in my heart all these years, but i'm just going to leave that black hole on the plane when the plane lands. i'm not going to live for the rest of my life with a grudge over the past six years. can i ask how you felt as you walked down the steps of that plane at brize norton? is it too early to say wh

remained in iran while two other joint british—iranian citizens, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashooried to return to the uk. let's return to ukraine now, where themilitary have announced a 38—hour curfew in the southern city of zaporizhzhia following a russian rocket attack. 0ur correspondent wyre davies sent this report from there. this is the town of zaporizhzhia. it's about 130 miles just to the north—west of the besieged city of mariupol, which, of course, has been virtually flattened by russian artillery fire. now, in recent days and weeks, those people who've been able to flee from mariupol have been coming through here. many of them, including children, being treated at local hospitals. but the big fear here now is that this city will become the next target for the russian offensive. indeed, in recent weeks, there have been sporadic missile attacks in the area. and in the last 24 hours, seven people were reported to have been killed in attacks against a local training base and factories. and that's meant a curfew has now been declared, a 38—hour curfew, in this city declared by

remained in iran while two other joint british—iranian citizens, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and anoosheh ashooriuk. here in the uk, p&0 ferries say some of their services from liverpool have resumed after all ships were called back to port on thursday. hours later, the firm announced 800 staff had been sacked and would be replaced with agency workers. the scottish government says it, too, is reviewing all publicly—funded contracts with the company. our business correspondent ramzan karmali reports. chanting: go, go, p&0! go, go, p&0! protesters let their feelings be known about the sudden dismissal of 800 p&0 staff outside the tory party conference in blackpool. the government really needs to get its act together. rather than be leading the destruction of the british maritime industry, they should be doing all they can to reverse the loss of 800 jobs. in dover, the company's ferries lie idle. the dubai—based owners dp world have come under intense criticism on the way they have treated their workers. their families are going to be in need. it also means that local shopkeepers are not going to ha

travelling with mrs zaghari—ratcliffe was the british—iranian man anoosheh ashoori, who has also beenreturn to the uk. the retired civil engineer had been detained for almost five years on spying charges, which he too denied. now on bbc news, it's time for click. this week, we meet the middle men standing between you and your games console. we're letting off some steam and we have an amazing spider...man. hey, welcome, welcome, welcome! lara lewington, what is the craziest thing you've ever bought on ebay? um, slippers? dogs — dog slippers! i wondered where that was going. ok, i did ask for crazy. well, look, do you remember the times when you bid on an item and you thought you were going to win the auction, and then in the dying few seconds, you were beaten by someone else? yes, they weren't real people, though, were they? no, they weren't. they were computer programmes designed to work really fast and beat you to the bid button, and i hated them. no—one did that to my dog slippers, though. can't imagine why. well, look, now, this idea is being used in new ways, and omar mehtab has b

nazanin flew home in the early hours of thursday morning along with another british national, anoosheh ashoori a long overdue military debt. but she was not keen to give the government any credit today. i not keen to give the government any credit today-— credit today. i have seen five foreian credit today. i have seen five foreign secretaries _ credit today. i have seen five foreign secretaries change i credit today. i have seen five i foreign secretaries change over credit today. i have seen five - foreign secretaries change over the course of six years, that is unprecedented given the politics of the uk. i love you, richard, i respect whatever you believe, but i was told many, many times that, oh, we will get you home. that never happened, so there was a time that i felt like i am not going to trust you because i have been told many times that i will be taken home but that never happens. how many foreign secretaries does it take for someone to come home? five? it should have been one of them eventually, so now here we are. what has happened now should have happened six years ago. i always f

anoosheh ashoori, the british—iranian man who was freed from prison in tehran earlier this month, sayse back with his family in the uk, but cannot understand why it didn't happen sooner. he'd been held in iran since 2017 on spying charges, and was released alongside nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, after the uk settled a military debt with iran. now, time for a look at some of the stories making the headlines, across the uk. the family that started a campaign to investigate avoidable baby deaths in shropshire say lessons must be learned from a major review into failures in maternity care. tomorrow, senior midwife donna ockenden is due to publish her review of more than 1,800 cases at the shrewsbury and telford hospitals nhs trust. michele paduano reports. this couple had already been fighting for three years into the death of kate when we first spoke to them. , ., ., _ them. there is no transparency. it has been unbelievably _ them. there is no transparency. it has been unbelievably awful, - has been unbelievably awful, rejection, blocking, redacted information.— rejection, blocking, redacte

now she is back at the airport with fellow british national anoosheh ashoori, who has also spent years solitary confinement, psychological torture and the agony of separation from her daughter. she served a five year sentence and then was immediately given another. her husband richard has campaigned around the clock for her release, last october going on hunger strike in an act of desperation to pressure the uk government to do more to get her home. he's always said she was being held as a hostage for a debt that britain owes iran. in the 1970s, iran bought more than 1,500 chieftain tanks from the uk but, after the islamic revolution, the deal wasn't completed and iran has been demanding its money back for decades. this is the moment that state—run television announced the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. they said the money britain owes iran has now been paid. i suspect that when she touches | down, it will be a very intimate | party, this is a moment for richard and gabriella and not anybody else. i suspect it will be very intimate but this weekend will be one hell of a celebrat

anoosheh ashoori, who was detained in iran for five years, has also been freed and arrived back in britainlight. there were emotional scenes at raf brize norton in the early hours of this morning as ms zaghari—ratcliffe was met by her husband and daughter. our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. the pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again. this was the moment nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was finally reunited with her seven—year—old daughter gabriella and husband richard. a family torn apart for six long years, a family once more complete. so too for anousheh ashoori stop the british—iranian businessman had also been freed. an emotional reunion his family, the relief and release after so many years of detention and separation. it was, said his daughter, happiness in one picture. the years of detention ended yesterday, when they were finally allowed to fly home, freed by the iranian authorities who had held them hostage at diplomatic pawns. they arrived at raf brize norton in oxfordshire in the early hours, in good spirits, as their families watched and waited. is hou

she is accompanied by another british—iranian, anoosheh ashoori.o you. let's return to the war between russia and ukraine. russia's invasion of ukraine. nato defence ministers are meeting in brussels for the first such talks since russia invaded ukraine. nato's secretary general, jens stoltenberg, said members of the alliance were providing large quantities of critical military equipment to the country and that support would continue. at the meeting today we will also not only address the immediate consequences of russia's invasion of ukraine, but we will also address the more long—term consequences, the long—term adaptations of our alliance, how to further strengthen our returns on defence and how to remove any room for a miscalculation or misunderstanding in moscow about our protecting and defending of all allies. nato has a responsibility to ensure that this crisis does not escalate beyond ukraine and that is also the reason why we have increased the presence in the eastern part of the alliance. that was jens stoltenberg they are speaking. nato

nazanin flew home in the early hours of thursday morning along with another british national, anoosheh ashoorirepaid a long overdue military debt. but she wasn't keen to give the government any credit today. i was told many, many times that, oh, we're going to get you home. that never happened. so there was a time that i felt like, do you know what? i'm not even going to trust you, because i've been told many, many times that i was going to be taken home, but that never happened. how many foreign secretaries does it take for someone to come home? five? it should have been one of them eventually. so now, here we are. what's happened now should have happened six years ago. she didn't want to answer questions about the detail of her prison ordeal, including solitary confinement. it will always haunt me. i always felt like i am holding this black hole in my heart all these years, but i'm just going to leave that black hole on the plane when the plane lands. i'm not going to live for the rest of my life with a grudge over the past six years. can i ask how you felt as you walked down the steps of th

mrs zaghari—ratcliffe and another british—iranian detainee, anoosheh ashoori, arrived back in britain she made clear the uk could and should have paid many years before. i have seen five foreign secretaries change over the course of six years. that is unprecedented given the politics of the uk. i love you, richard, i respect whatever you believe, but i was told many, many times that, "oh, we are going to get you home." that never happened. there was a time that i felt like, "you know what? i'm going to trust you," because i have been told many, many times i am going to be taken home but that never happened. how many foreign secretaries does it take for someone to come help? five? it should have been one of them eventually so now here we are, what has happened now should have happened six years ago. but now it was time to heal. we have gone through a lot, it has been a tough journey. the coming back was also very tough. you realise that coming back to a daughter who is nearly eight, i left her when she was not even two, there is a whole lot to catch up with richard and gabriella, getti

anoosheh ashoori anoosheh ashoori.e in the uk and around the world. my my first question, from your experience of situations like this, what will be two individuals who have been free, what will they be going through? —— who have been freed. that reintegration into their normal life after so many years of captivity, that isn't necessarily a straightforward process? ihla. captivity, that isn't necessarily a straightforward process? no, we s-oke to straightforward process? no, we spoke to richard _ straightforward process? no, we spoke to richard yesterday - straightforward process? no, we spoke to richard yesterday and l straightforward process? no, we. spoke to richard yesterday and he and nazanin are going to take some quiet time to be together with their daughter and it will be a gradual process of recovery for nazanin because she is a survivor of torture and she was in solitary confinement for eight months and she suffered terrible conditions. in our experience, with the proper support, people can recover but it wil