Miliband and Araghchi meet in New York
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly; it was their first meeting. The UK said they discussed the Middle East war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Miliband raised threats linked to Iran in the UK and the cases of British nationals held in Iran.
Key points
- The meeting combined discussion of regional issues—including the war and the Strait of Hormuz—with UK concerns about threats on British soil and British nationals detained in Iran.
Evidence · 4 source statements
the pair discussed the war in the Middle East, the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz
the UK’s “unwavering resolve to combat threats from Iranian-linked groups on UK soil”
He warned Iran about its behaviour in the UK, including threats to Jewish communities, and called for the UK to be given consular access to the British couple sentenced to 10…
he reiterated the call for them to be immediately released and stressed that their welfare remains a priority for the government, the Foreign Office said.
- Miliband urged Iran to pursue de-escalation and diplomacy and supported freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Evidence · 2 source statements
telling Araghchi that Iran should choose "de-escalation and diplomacy instead of prolonging the war" and stressing the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Miliband made clear that the UK was committed to freedom of navigation in the strait and wanted a diplomatic solution, also stressing support for Saudi Arabia, a UK ally in Yemen.
Who's involved
Ed Miliband
He was the UK foreign secretary and a participant in the meeting.
He said the UK would not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on British soil. He backed freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, called for diplomacy and de-escalation, and raised the cases of the British couple held in Iran.
What they said · 6 source statements
“not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on UK soil”
not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on UK soil
Miliband made clear that the UK was committed to freedom of navigation in the strait and wanted a diplomatic solution, also stressing support for Saudi Arabia, a UK ally in Yemen.
telling Araghchi that Iran should choose "de-escalation and diplomacy instead of prolonging the war" and stressing the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
He warned Iran about its behaviour in the UK, including threats to Jewish communities, and called for the UK to be given consular access to the British couple sentenced to 10…
he reiterated the call for them to be immediately released and stressed that their welfare remains a priority for the government, the Foreign Office said.
UK Foreign Office
It represented the UK government in describing the meeting and its concerns.
It said the UK was resolved to combat threats from Iranian-linked groups, including attacks on the British Jewish community.
What they said · 2 source statements
the UK’s “unwavering resolve to combat threats from Iranian-linked groups on UK soil”
the UK's unwavering resolve to combat threats from Iranian-linked groups in UK soil, including attacks on the British Jewish community
What was reported
- Miliband and Araghchi met in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly. The Guardian described it as their first meeting.
Reported independently by 2: South China Morning Post, The Guardian
Evidence · 2 source statements
Miliband met his Iranian counterpart in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.
The UK foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, has met his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, for the first time in New York amid warnings from senior Iranian security officials that…
- The Foreign Office said they discussed the Middle East war and the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
One source: South China Morning Post
Evidence · 1 source statement
the pair discussed the war in the Middle East, the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz
- Miliband raised threats to Jewish communities and other hostile activity linked to Iran in the UK.
Reported independently by 3: BBC News, South China Morning Post, The Guardian
Evidence · 3 source statements
He warned Iran about its behaviour in the UK, including threats to Jewish communities, and called for the UK to be given consular access to the British couple sentenced to 10…
“not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on UK soil”
the UK's unwavering resolve to combat threats from Iranian-linked groups in UK soil, including attacks on the British Jewish community
- Miliband called for consular access to Lindsay and Craig Foreman, and later reiterated the call for their immediate release.
Reported independently by 2: BBC News, The Guardian
Evidence · 2 source statements
He warned Iran about its behaviour in the UK, including threats to Jewish communities, and called for the UK to be given consular access to the British couple sentenced to 10…
he reiterated the call for them to be immediately released and stressed that their welfare remains a priority for the government, the Foreign Office said.
- Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency said the ministers discussed bilateral ties and international developments.
One source: Islamic Republic News Agency
Evidence · 1 source statement
discussed bilateral ties and international developments during their talks
Still unclear
- No agreement or joint statement is mentioned.
Not heard from
- Abbas Araghchi and the Iranian government — Araghchi participated in the meeting, but the reports provide no direct account of his views or Iran's position on the issues discussed.