British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has come under criticism after he was photographed shaking hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Miliband met Araghchi on Thursday, September 24, 2026, as part of diplomatic discussions on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and efforts to address regional tensions.
According to the British Foreign Office, the talks included the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the need for de-escalation and diplomacy, and Britain’s concerns over threats and hostile activities linked to Iran on UK soil. Miliband also raised concerns about the security of British communities, including the Jewish community.
The meeting, which was the first between British and Iranian foreign ministers in about a year, attracted criticism from Conservative politicians.
Shadow Foreign Office Secretary Tom Tugendhat criticised the encounter, arguing that engaging with senior Iranian officials could give legitimacy to a government he accused of threatening British interests and supporting armed groups.
He said the Iranian government had continued to threaten Britain’s allies and communities, adding that the handshake risked giving Tehran credibility.
However, the meeting was presented by the British government as part of diplomatic efforts to address the Middle East conflict and communicate directly with Iran on issues affecting British security and international navigation.
Miliband reportedly told Araghchi that Britain would not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity linked to Iran on British soil and urged Tehran to choose diplomacy rather than prolonging the conflict.
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