Zaghari-Ratcliffe: UK acknowledges debt owed to Iran over Shah's tank order

Debt seen as stumbling block for release of British-Iranians including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

The defence secretary, Ben Wallace, has for the first time acknowledged that he is actively seeking to pay a debt to the Iranian government that could finally help to secure the release of British dual nationals including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

Wallace assured lawyers acting for the families that the government was exploring every legal avenue to pay the debt, which for the first time he formally acknowledged the government owes.