The family of a British-Iranian national imprisoned in Iran have been plunged into fresh anguish following startling comments from former US President Donald Trump.
Morad Tahbaz, a renowned environmentalist who also holds American citizenship, was arrested in 2018 and later sentenced to 10 years in prison on widely disputed espionage charges. His family now fears his case is being cynically exploited as a political bargaining chip on the global stage.
The alarming development came during a recent campaign rally, where Trump was questioned about his strategy for securing the release of hostages abroad. In a response that sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, the former president explicitly named Mr. Tahbaz before stating, "I will not bring him home" if re-elected.
A Family's Agonising Wait
For Mr. Tahbaz's British family, who have campaigned tirelessly for his freedom, Trump's words were a devastating blow. They have long maintained his innocence, arguing his work with the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation was solely focused on conserving endangered species like the Asiatic cheetah.
"To hear a former and potentially future US President so casually dismiss Morad's life is utterly horrifying," a family spokesperson told the Mirror. "It reduces a human being to a mere political soundbite. This isn't just about policy; it's about a father, a husband, and a brother whose health is deteriorating in one of the world's most notorious prisons."
The Complex Web of International Diplomacy
Mr. Tahbaz's case is particularly complex due to his triple nationality—British, American, and Iranian. This has created a tangled web of responsibility and negotiation between governments. While the UK Foreign Office continues to state that securing the release of all arbitrarily detained British nationals is a "top priority", progress has been painstakingly slow.
Analysts suggest that Iran frequently engages in "hostage diplomacy," using foreign nationals as leverage to extract concessions from Western powers, often in the form of sanctions relief or financial settlements. Trump's comments, critics argue, risk further emboldening such tactics by openly acknowledging a willingness to leave citizens behind.
What Happens Next?
The future for Morad Tahbaz remains uncertain. His family's hope now rests on continued and intensified diplomatic efforts from the British government, irrespective of the political climate in the United States.
They urge UK ministers to treat his case with the utmost urgency, emphasising that every moment counts for a man who has already lost over six years of his life to what they call a "trumped-up charge."
