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Iran plane crash: Britain condemns Tehran's arrest of UK ambassador Iran plane crash: Britain condemns Tehran's arrest of UK ambassador
(about 2 hours later)
Britain has condemned the arrest of the UK ambassador to Iran as a "flagrant violation of international law".Britain has condemned the arrest of the UK ambassador to Iran as a "flagrant violation of international law".
Rob Macaire was detained after attending a vigil for those who died when Iran's military shot down a passenger plane on Wednesday.Rob Macaire was detained after attending a vigil for those who died when Iran's military shot down a passenger plane on Wednesday.
He left when it turned into a protest before being arrested and accused of helping to organise the demonstrations.He left when it turned into a protest before being arrested and accused of helping to organise the demonstrations.
Iran's deputy foreign minister said he was arrested "as an unknown foreigner in an illegal gathering".
Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who denied Mr Macaire was detained, said in a tweet that he thought it "impossible" when police first told him that the UK ambassador had been arrested.
A phone conversation confirmed Mr Macaire's identity and he was released 15 minutes later, Mr Araghchi added.
In a tweet, Mr Macaire denied taking part in protests and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemned his arrest.In a tweet, Mr Macaire denied taking part in protests and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemned his arrest.
Mr Macaire said he was attending the vigil because it was "normal to want to pay respects", adding that some of the victims were British.Mr Macaire said he was attending the vigil because it was "normal to want to pay respects", adding that some of the victims were British.
The ambassador added: "Arresting diplomats is of course illegal, in all countries."The ambassador added: "Arresting diplomats is of course illegal, in all countries."
Protesters had taken to the streets in Iran's capital, Tehran, to vent anger at officials, calling them liars for having denied shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane.Protesters had taken to the streets in Iran's capital, Tehran, to vent anger at officials, calling them liars for having denied shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane.
On Saturday, Iran admitted "unintentionally" downing the jet, three days after the crash that killed 176 people.On Saturday, Iran admitted "unintentionally" downing the jet, three days after the crash that killed 176 people.
Security Minister Brandon Lewis said on Sunday that the UK ambassador's arrest was "totally unacceptable" and a breach of the 1961 Vienna Convention.Security Minister Brandon Lewis said on Sunday that the UK ambassador's arrest was "totally unacceptable" and a breach of the 1961 Vienna Convention.
"Iran does need to step back from that kind of activity and play a proper part in working with partners to de-escalate," Mr Lewis told Sky's Sophy Ridge."Iran does need to step back from that kind of activity and play a proper part in working with partners to de-escalate," Mr Lewis told Sky's Sophy Ridge.
Under the convention, diplomats cannot be detained. The Foreign Office is to demand a full explanation.Under the convention, diplomats cannot be detained. The Foreign Office is to demand a full explanation.
In a statement, Mr Raab added: "The arrest of our ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law.In a statement, Mr Raab added: "The arrest of our ambassador in Tehran without grounds or explanation is a flagrant violation of international law.
"The Iranian government is at a cross-roads moment. It can continue its march towards pariah status with all the political and economic isolation that entails, or take steps to deescalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards.""The Iranian government is at a cross-roads moment. It can continue its march towards pariah status with all the political and economic isolation that entails, or take steps to deescalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards."
Mr Macaire was arrested and held for three hours when he stopped at a barber shop for a haircut on his way back to the UK embassy.Mr Macaire was arrested and held for three hours when he stopped at a barber shop for a haircut on his way back to the UK embassy.
The Iranian Etemad newspaper shared a picture of the ambassador on Twitter after the Tasnim news agency reported his arrest.The Iranian Etemad newspaper shared a picture of the ambassador on Twitter after the Tasnim news agency reported his arrest.
Iranian media claimed Mr Macaire was accused of inciting anti-government protests.Iranian media claimed Mr Macaire was accused of inciting anti-government protests.
Iran initially denied responsibility for Wednesday's crash - which killed 176 people, including four Britons.Iran initially denied responsibility for Wednesday's crash - which killed 176 people, including four Britons.
But on Saturday, President Hassan Rouhani admitted Iranian military had "unintentionally" shot down the passenger plane after mistaking it for a cruise missile when it turned towards a sensitive military site.But on Saturday, President Hassan Rouhani admitted Iranian military had "unintentionally" shot down the passenger plane after mistaking it for a cruise missile when it turned towards a sensitive military site.
President Rouhani said the missile strike was an "unforgivable mistake".President Rouhani said the missile strike was an "unforgivable mistake".
The crash came just hours after Iran carried out missile strikes on two airbases housing US forces in Iraq.The crash came just hours after Iran carried out missile strikes on two airbases housing US forces in Iraq.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Iran's admission was an "important first step" and called for an investigation into the "tragic accident".UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Iran's admission was an "important first step" and called for an investigation into the "tragic accident".
He said the investigation into the crash should be "comprehensive, transparent and independent", adding that he would work with other affected nations, including Canada and Ukraine.He said the investigation into the crash should be "comprehensive, transparent and independent", adding that he would work with other affected nations, including Canada and Ukraine.
The prime minister said it was "vital that all leaders now pursue a diplomatic way forward" in the conflict in the region.The prime minister said it was "vital that all leaders now pursue a diplomatic way forward" in the conflict in the region.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Raab said was time for Tehran "to come to the negotiating table to resolve all of Iran's issues of international concern."Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Raab said was time for Tehran "to come to the negotiating table to resolve all of Iran's issues of international concern."
Mr Raab said Iran "must stop pursuing a nuclear weapon, end its support for terrorism, and release the foreign nationals and dual nationals it cruelly holds".Mr Raab said Iran "must stop pursuing a nuclear weapon, end its support for terrorism, and release the foreign nationals and dual nationals it cruelly holds".
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the shooting down of the passenger plane by Iran was "an appalling act, and part of a whole pattern of appalling acts all across the region".Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the shooting down of the passenger plane by Iran was "an appalling act, and part of a whole pattern of appalling acts all across the region".
"There's no excuse for shooting down an airliner, there's no excuse for a targeted assassination by one state against another," he said at an anti-war protest in central London on Saturday."There's no excuse for shooting down an airliner, there's no excuse for a targeted assassination by one state against another," he said at an anti-war protest in central London on Saturday.
The Queen has also sent a message of condolence to the Governor-General of Canada - where the majority of the passengers on the flight were headed.The Queen has also sent a message of condolence to the Governor-General of Canada - where the majority of the passengers on the flight were headed.
Out of the 176 victims on board the Kyiv-bound flight, 138 had listed Canada as their eventual destination.Out of the 176 victims on board the Kyiv-bound flight, 138 had listed Canada as their eventual destination.
The Queen said she and the Duke of Edinburgh were "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life".The Queen said she and the Duke of Edinburgh were "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life".
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall added their condolences, saying they were "utterly horrified" by the disaster.The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall added their condolences, saying they were "utterly horrified" by the disaster.
The UK government says that four Britons were on board the Ukrainian passenger plane.The UK government says that four Britons were on board the Ukrainian passenger plane.
Three have been named as Mohammed Reza Kadkhoda Zadeh, who owned a dry cleaners in West Sussex, BP engineer Sam Zokaei from Twickenham, and PhD student and engineer Saeed Tahmasebi, who lived in Dartford.Three have been named as Mohammed Reza Kadkhoda Zadeh, who owned a dry cleaners in West Sussex, BP engineer Sam Zokaei from Twickenham, and PhD student and engineer Saeed Tahmasebi, who lived in Dartford.
Mr Tahmasebi's Iranian wife, Niloufar Ebrahim, was also listed as a passenger on the plane.Mr Tahmasebi's Iranian wife, Niloufar Ebrahim, was also listed as a passenger on the plane.
The attack on the airliner came amid heightened tensions in the region following the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on 3 January.The attack on the airliner came amid heightened tensions in the region following the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on 3 January.
Tehran vowed revenge after he died in a drone strike ordered by US President Donald Trump.Tehran vowed revenge after he died in a drone strike ordered by US President Donald Trump.