FOREIGN secretary Jeremy Hunt has warned Iran there will be "consequences" over its treatment of imprisoned mother-of-one Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, whose sister-in-law is a GP in Cwmbran, is planning to start a hunger strike on Monday in protest against being denied access to a doctor and medication.
She has been held in Iran since 2016 over spying allegations - which she has repeatedly denied.
Responding to her plans for a hunger strike, Mr Hunt told BBC Radio 4's Today: "She is incredibly brave. We are all thinking of her.
"Our message to Iran is very simple - do not use individual innocent people as pawns of diplomatic leverage.
"There will be consequences for Iran and for Iran's reputation in the world. The UK is backing Nazanin. We will do everything we possibly can to get her home safely."
Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who turned 40 in prison on Boxing Day, was arrested along with her daughter Gabriella at Tehran Airport. Gabriella has since been staying with her grandparents in Iran.
Earlier this week video footage of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's arrest was shown on Iranian television.
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