British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has faced backlash after being photographed shaking hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting, which took place on Thursday, September 25, 2026, was meant to discuss the conflict in the Middle East, the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and threats linked to Iran on British soil.
The handshake has been criticized by several British politicians, including Shadow Foreign Office Secretary Tom Tugendhat, who described the encounter as "legitimising a regime that has often tried to harm our people." Tugendhat emphasized that the Iranian regime has been involved in various hostile activities, including murdering protesters, threatening allies, and arming terror groups.
Tugendhat further argued that the Iranian civilian government is not in charge, and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is running the country. He expressed concerns that the British government's approach to foreign policy is outdated and that they need to show strength and unity with their allies in the face of evolving threats.
Shadow Foreign Office minister Alicia Kearns also criticized the meeting, taking to social media to express her disapproval. She stated that Miliband owes Parliament, British Jews, and the Foreman family an explanation and an apology for shaking hands with Araghchi. Kearns described the handshake as a "propaganda win" for Tehran.
However, the UK Foreign Office has defended Miliband's actions, stating that he used the meeting to warn Araghchi that Britain would not tolerate intimidation, threats, or hostile activity on British soil from groups linked to Iran. The discussions also covered the war in the Middle East and the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The meeting between Miliband and Araghchi took place during the 81st UN General Assembly, where world leaders and senior officials gathered in New York. The event provided a platform for discussions on various global issues, including the conflict in the Middle East and the role of Iran in the region.
The controversy surrounding Miliband's handshake with Araghchi highlights the complexities of diplomatic relations and the challenges of navigating interactions with countries with questionable human rights records. The incident has sparked a debate about the UK's foreign policy approach and its engagement with countries like Iran.
Key points
- UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband faced criticism for shaking hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the UNGA.
- The handshake was seen as legitimizing a regime involved in hostile activities, including arming terror groups and threatening British soil.
- The UK Foreign Office defended Miliband's actions, stating that he used the meeting to warn Araghchi about British intolerance for intimidation and threats.
