# Iran’s UN committee election sparks row over UK’s earlier approval of its candidacy

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/fury-as-uk-nominates-iran-to-key-un-committee-overseeing-counterterrorism-after-ed-milibands-handshake-with-tehran-minister/
- Published: 2026-11-12T11:24:15+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T11:47:46+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16286583/Fury-UK-nominates-Iran-key-committee-overseeing-counterterrorism-Ed-Milibands-handshake-Tehran-minister.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Elections, Geopolitics, Government, Middle East, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Iran won a seat on a UN committee overseeing programmes.
- Australia and Canada opposed the appointment and voted against it.
- UK ministers say Iran’s regional nomination was not British backing.

## Summary

Iran was elected to the UN Committee for Programme and Coordination in a secret ballot, prompting criticism from several Western governments and a political row in the UK. The committee reviews UN programmes, including work connected with human rights, women’s rights and counterterrorism, making its membership politically significant.

The UK had previously been among countries that approved Iran as a candidate, but ministers say the nomination came through an Asia-Pacific regional agreement and was not an expression of British support. Australia and Canada said they opposed Iran’s appointment and voted against it, citing its human rights record and regional conduct. The dispute has also revived scrutiny of Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband’s September handshake with Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi; the Government said he used their meeting to raise British concerns and keep diplomatic channels open.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.