Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has faced criticism after shaking hands with Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, during talks in New York. Conservative MP Alicia Kearns called the meeting a “propaganda win” for Tehran, while the Foreign Office said Miliband warned Iran that Britain would not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on UK soil.

The meeting covered the conflict in the Middle East, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and threats from Iranian-linked groups. Miliband also raised the case of Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a British couple sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran after being convicted of espionage, which they deny; their appeal was rejected in June, and Craig received an additional two-year sentence for speaking to media outlets.