Iran execution marks 'escalation' in hostility

TEHRAN’S decision to hang a British-Iranian dual national yesterday marks a “sharp escalation” in its hostility towards the UK, experts warned last night.

- Marco Giannangeli

 

The Government imposed new sanctions on Iran’s “brutal” regime following what Rishi Sunak called the “callous and cowardly” execution of Alireza Akbari yesterday morning.

Akbari, pictured, once the country’s deputy defence minister, had been accused of being an MI6 spy – charges his family and the Foreign Office strenuously deny.

Britain has sanctioned more than 30 leading Iranians and institutions since September, when the regime began its brutal crackdown on protests following the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for improperly wearing her headscarf.