Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 May 2026.

Foreign Secretary announces sanctions against organisations and individuals enabling hostile Iranian activity

• New UK sanctions target organisations and individuals who threaten international and UK security. 
• Action demonstrates UK commitment to countering Iranian threats to UK national security, regional stability, and the global economy. 
• Sanctions will deter attacks against dissidents overseas and disrupt illicit revenue generation for the Iranian regime.

Organisations and individuals enabling hostile Iranian activity are amongst those being targeted under new sanctions announced by the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, today (11 May). The measures come in response to Iranian action against global security and its use of criminal gangs to carry out threats overseas. 

The measures target illicit finance flows which enable the Iranian regime to pursue destabilising action across the Middle East, including their blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – contravening international law and disrupting the global economy – and military strikes against regional and Gulf allies. 

Today’s sanctions also target criminal proxies who act on behalf of the Iranian state to threaten the US and Europe by preventing criminal gangs from travelling to the UK or accessing assets which finance their illegal activity. 

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 

This package of sanctions directly targets organisations and individuals who threaten security on UK streets and stability in the Middle East. Criminal proxies backed by parts of the Iranian regime who threaten security in the UK and Europe will not be tolerated, nor will illicit finance networks. We are coordinating these actions across Europe. 

We continue to press for a negotiated settlement and a long-term diplomatic solution in the Middle East, which urgently restores freedom of navigation to the Strait of Hormuz.

The package of sanctions is aligned with action taken by the EU and builds on recent action by the UK government to hold the Iranian regime accountable for hostile activity, including threats to national security. 

More broadly, the Prime Minister has made clear that we need stronger powers to tackle threats posed by states like Iran, which is why we will fast-track Home Office state-threats legislation. On 28 April, the Minister for the Middle East summoned the Iranian Ambassador for the third time this year. The government has censured the Iranian embassy’s unacceptable and inflammatory comments on social media and made clear that any attempts to cause violence or inflame tensions in our communities will not be tolerated. 

The UK also sanctioned 10 individuals and one organisation in February for their brutal response to Iranian protestors in January and in previous protests. 

The UK already has imposed more than 550 sanctions on Iranian individuals and organisations, including the entirety of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps i and over 90 sanctions in response to Human Rights violations. 

These sanctions form part of a UK day of action against destabilising activity by Iran and Russia. Earlier today, the UK announced sanctions against Russia’s hostile and heinous attempts to undermine democracy and destroy Ukraine’s future. 

Background:

The following entities are today sanctioned by the UK government and are subject to an asset freeze and director disqualification: 

• Berelian Exchange 
• GCM Exchange 
• The Zindashti Network 

The following individuals are today sanctioned by the UK government and are subject to a travel ban, asset freeze and director disqualification: 

• Mansour Zarringhalam 
• Nasser Zarringhalam 
• Ekrem Abdulkerym Oztunc 
• Nihat Abdul Kadir Asan 
• Reza Hamidiravari 
• Namiq Salifov  

The following individuals are also today sanctioned by the UK government and are subject to an asset freeze and director disqualification: 

• Fazlolah Zarringhalam 
• Pouria Zarringhalam 
• Farhad Zarringhalam 

Information in this Press Release was accurate at the time of publication. Please see the UK Sanctions List for the current list of those subject to sanctions https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list 

Definitions:   

1. Asset freeze: an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. 
2. Director disqualification: Where director disqualification sanctions apply, it is an offence for a person designated for the purpose of those sanctions to act as a director of a UK company, or a foreign company that is sufficiently-connected to the UK, or to take part in the management, formation or promotion of a company. 
3. Travel ban: a travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, as the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 May 2026.

The UK is exposing and taking action against Russia’s hostile and heinous activity at every level, from its systematic campaign to forcibly deport and militarise Ukrainian children to recent attempts to interfere in upcoming Armenian elections.

• The UK has sanctioned 85 individuals and entities involved in the forced deportation, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children, alongside those driving Russia’s information warfare campaigns 
• In some of the toughest action to date, the UK is exposing and combatting hostile Russian activity across multiple fronts, including recent attempts to interfere in Armenian elections 
• An additional £1.2 million in UK funding will help identify and return Ukrainian children to their homes and communities

The UK is today [Monday 11 May] exposing and taking action against Russia’s hostile and heinous activity at every level, from its systematic campaign to forcibly deport and militarise Ukrainian children to recent attempts to interfere in upcoming Armenian elections.  

Today’s action represents some of the toughest measures the UK has taken to target hostile Russian activity to date, directly hitting 85 individuals and entities. As Russia relentlessly seeks to undermine democratic process and global support for Ukraine, this latest tranche of sanctions cracks down on malicious information warfare campaigns. 

New measures target 49 individuals working for the Social Design Agency (SDA), including writers, translators and video makers responsible for deceptive Kremlin propaganda. The SDA has been tasked and funded by the Kremlin to deliver a series of interference operations designed to undermine democracy and weaken support for Ukraine.   

In continuing to expose Russia’s hostile and malign activities, the UK is today calling out that the Social Design Agency has planned campaigns which were almost certainly tasked by the Russian Presidential Administration, including seeking to establish pro-Russia organisations in Armenia and influence a change in power towards pro-Russia figures.   

Elsewhere, the UK can also reveal that sanctioned entity ANO Dialog is tasked by the Russian Presidential Administration and has worked alongside Russian intelligence services to carry out malign influence campaigns on behalf of the Government of Russia. ANO Dialog has also coordinated with Russian intelligence on interference plans aimed at Armenian domestic politics. 

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:  

The UK will not stand idly by as Putin seeks to sow lies and pro-Kremlin narratives abroad.   

Today’s sanctions are a strong step in exposing and disrupting the depths Russia is willing to go, to interfere and undermine democracy, and destroy Ukraine’s future through the abhorrent deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.   

The UK’s support for Ukraine remains ironclad and we will continue to work alongside our allies to support every effort to identify and trace the children that have been cruelly taken from their communities and bring them home.

Among those sanctioned today for their role in the heinous policy of Russification of Ukrainian children is the Centre for Military Sports Training and Patriotic Education of Youth, known as the ‘Warrior Centre’.  Here, Ukrainian children are subjected to military training and pro‑Kremlin ideology.  

Also sanctioned is Yulia Sergeevna Velichko, Minister for Youth Policy in the so‑called ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’, for her role in implementing state‑led initiatives for the deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children, including the issuing of Russian passports to children from temporarily occupied territories and organising programmes that expose them to Russian ideology.  

The announcement comes as Sanctions Minister Stephen Doughty travels to Brussels to attend the High-Level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. While in Brussels, the Minister will announce a further £1.2 million of UK funding for the Verification Centre and Tracing Mechanism, helping to identify and locate Ukrainian children who have been cruelly taken from their homes.   

The UK will continue to crack down on those who carry out malign activity on behalf of the Kremlin and organisations seeking to spread lies and undermine democracy in defence of our values. To date, the UK has sanctioned over 3,300 targets to clamp down on those fuelling Russia’s war efforts, from disrupting military supply chains to tackling the weaponisation of irregular migration.

Notes to editors:  

• This latest sanction package includes 29 targets linked to Russia’s systematic campaign to forcibly deport and militarise Ukrainian children, and a further 56 designations targeting those responsible for the Kremlin’s information warfare.  
• Russia’s heinous policy of forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children is a clear attempt to sever cultural and national ties to their home country. To date, over 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred or deported to Russia and within the temporarily occupied territories. Sanctions are a critical tool in the UK’s arsenal to expose these injustices, uncover the perpetrators and defend the identity and values Ukraine is fighting to protect.  
• The Centre for Military Sports Training and Patriotic Education of Youth operates a network of facilities across Russia and Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.   
• Among those forcibly deported, an estimated 6,000 children have been taken to re‑education camps, where they are subjected to propaganda designed to erase Ukrainian identity and instil pro‑Russian, highly militarised beliefs.  
• The UK is providing a further £1.2million to the tracing and verification of illegally deported Ukrainian children. This includes   
• £600,000 for the Verification Centre which is locating these children and provided strong evidence to the UN Commission of Inquiry to support their conclusions that Russia’s actions constitute crimes against humanity.  
• £600,000 for the Ukrainian led Tracing programme which is tracing and locating thousands of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 May 2026.

Ms Tarandip Kaur Sandhu MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See in succession to Mr Christopher John Trott CVO.

Ms Tarandip Kaur Sandhu MBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See in succession to Mr Christopher John Trott CVO who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Sandhu will take up her appointment during August 2026.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Tarandip (Tammy) Kaur Sandhu

Year	Role
2025 to present	Pre-posting Training (including Italian language training)
2023 to 2025	San Francisco, His Majesty’s Consul General
2021 to 2023	San Francisco, Deputy Consul General
2020	FCDO, Chair, Race and Ethnicity Network
2017 to 2020	FCO, Human Resources Directorate
2014 to 2017	Chennai, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Department for International Trade
2012 to 2014	Brussels, Deputy Spokesperson, UK Permanent Representation to the EU
2009 to 2012	Rabat, Second Secretary (Political/Economic)
2009	Pre-posting Training (including French language training)
2007 to 2008	FCO, Counter Terrorism Department
2005 to 2007	FCO, Parliamentary Relations Department
2005	Joined FCO

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2026.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office summoned the Chinese Ambassador on Friday 8 May following convictions under the National Security Act.

An FCDO spokesperson said: 

On instruction from the Foreign Secretary, the Chinese Ambassador was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This summons follows the conclusion of a case which resulted in convictions under the National Security Act to assist the Hong Kong authorities. 

It was made clear that the UK will not tolerate any attempts by foreign states to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK, and that such activity constitutes a serious breach of the UK’s sovereignty. We will continue to use the full range of tools available to protect our security and hold China to account for actions which undermine our safety and democratic values.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Arria meeting on the West Bank.

Colleagues, at the outset, I want to underline UK concern at rising conflict in the region and beyond. 

I also want to stress that peaceful co-existence between communities is essential. 

The United Kingdom was shocked by the despicable antisemitic terror attack in London last week. 

There is no place in our societies for racially motivated hatred and violence, and we will continue to work to end such attacks and to promote tolerance amongst all communities. 

Returning to the Arria, I will make three points.

First, the United Kingdom is clear that a two state solution remains the only way to achieve lasting peace and security for the Israeli and Palestinian people.

However, as we have heard today, the viability of that future is being deliberately and rapidly eroded.

The current Israeli Government has nearly doubled the number of illegal settlements, including the E1 plan, which would cut the West Bank in two as we’ve just seen.

Security Council Resolution 2334 is clear. 

These settlements are a flagrant violation of international law and must cease.

And while settlements expand, so does the displacement of Palestinians from that same land.

This includes Basel’s hometown of Masafer Yatta. 

It also includes the homes of many more. 

2,500 Palestinians have been displaced this year due to demolitions, evictions, and settler attacks.

In Silwan in East Jerusalem, families have been forced out and watched as settlers take over the homes they have had for generations.

And as we’ve heard today, Israeli restrictions on movement and the withholding of Palestinian tax revenues are worsening the humanitarian situation, weakening the Palestinian Authority, and driving instability.

Second, these policies are accompanied by extreme violence. 

OCHA report that 2025 saw the highest number of settler attacks on record. 

Last year, Israeli security forces and settlers killed 240 Palestinians, with Palestinian militants killing 17 Israelis. 

The United Kingdom strongly condemns all attacks on civilians.

As the occupying power, the Israeli Government has clear responsibilities for the protection of civilians, which are not being met.

Acts of settler violence are not a series of isolated incidents. 

They represent an accelerated campaign to prevent a future Palestinian State driven by an extremist ideology, which even includes acts of settler terrorism.

Finally, these actions are underpinned by a culture of impunity. 

While attacks by Palestinians are rightly investigated and prosecuted, the same cannot be said for crimes by settlers. 

Accountability remains weak, with few criminal investigations and many cases closed without justice.

The United Kingdom is also concerned by recent comments by a senior IDF figure, noting that lethal force is used against Palestinian stone-throwers, but not against settlers committing the same crime. 

If accurate, this suggests a discriminatory application of force that raises serious concerns under international law.  

Colleagues, these actions constitute a coordinated effort to permanently change the demographic makeup of the West Bank and prevent the two state solution.

They undermine President Trump’s 20-Point Plan and risk further violence in the region. 

Depriving the Israeli and Palestinian people of the peace they deserve.

We desperately want to see a different future: one that delivers peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians. 

That different future is possible.

And it is our duty to strive to achieve it.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones visits Ukraine to address the United for Justice Conference.

• Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones visits Ukraine to address the United for Justice Conference, underlining the UK’s commitment to holding Russia to account for crimes committed throughout the war  
• Minister also made “harrowing but essential” visit to Bucha and Irpin, towns that saw civilian suffering at the start of the war 
• In line with the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership, the UK is also seeking Ukrainian expertise to turbocharge counter-drone technology development 

“Russia must be held to account for its crimes”, the Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls stressed on a visit to Kyiv yesterday [Thursday 7 May]. She was in the city to address the United for Justice Conference, an event aiming to coordinate global efforts to investigate, prosecute, and ensure accountability for international crimes committed during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.  

In Kyiv, the Minister also met with frontline organisations directly supporting survivors of sexual violence, which Russia has used as a weapon of war. The visit also furthers the government’s commitment, under the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership, to support Ukraine in the reform and recovery of its justice system.  

Addressing the conference, Minister Davies-Jones expressed the UK Government’s “unwavering” commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people in securing justice and accountability. The UK is supporting Ukraine politically, financially, and practically, including with £16.5 million in funding for domestic war crimes investigations, providing Ukraine with the skills and expertise it needs to drive this action forward.  

While in Ukraine, Minister Alex Davies-Jones also visited the towns of Bucha and Irpin, defining sites of civilian suffering caused in the early stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion and during Russian occupation. Russian forces occupied Bucha until early April 2022, during which widespread war crimes including conflict related sexual violence were reported. The Minister visited the memorial at the town’s mass grave site, which pays tribute to the Ukrainians who were killed during the occupation.  

Irpin became one of the heaviest-hit areas during Russia’s early invasion of Ukraine and was a front-line battlefield in February 2022. The Minister visited the “Bridge of Life” in Irpin, which was exploded by the Ukrainian armed forces to prevent Russian troops and tanks from entering Kyiv city. The remnants of that bridge were the only route through which Ukrainians could seek evacuation and leave Russian occupation, and many Ukrainians were killed trying to make their way there. 

Reflecting on the visit, Minister Davies-Jones said: 

While here in Ukraine I’ve heard powerful testimonies from survivors and seen the harrowing evidence of war crimes firsthand. Working daily with survivors of violence at home, I know that behind every statistic is a person whose life has been changed forever. >  The courage it takes to speak out, to bear witness and to demand justice is something I deeply commend.  

Ukraine is still living under daily attack, and the UK stands firmly with its people in that same pursuit of the justice, accountability and freedom they deserve. Russia must be held to account for its crimes.” 

The Minister also reflected on the expertise Ukraine has to share with the UK, forged through the experiences of government under the pressures of the full-scale invasion. The Minister announced the opening  of a new competition worth £5m by InnovateUK, an initiative that  will accelerate counter-drone research in the UK, with a hope to encourage further technological partnerships between our nations.    

The visit follows the Deputy Prime Minister’s trip to Ukraine to mark the first anniversary of 100 Year Partnership between the UK and Ukraine in January this year. Whilst there, he announced £6.5 million investment to support research and development on stopping drones smuggling contraband into prisons – including phones, drugs and weapons. 

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

UK Statement at Palau’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you Mr President and a warm welcome to the delegation of Palau.

The United Kingdom welcomes Palau’s efforts to strengthen its anti-trafficking legal framework, including updating its Anti-Human Smuggling and Human Trafficking Act. We also commend Palau’s progress in updating its Family Protection Act to improve access to services and address gender-based violence. 

We encourage Palau’s continued engagement with the UK and other international partners to support the effective establishment of a national human rights institution and ratification of CEDAW.

We recommend that Palau: 

1. Updates relevant legislation to set the minimum age of marriage to 18, without exception.
2. Amends the Anti-Discriminatory Act to explicitly prohibit all forms of disability-based discrimination and establish clear procedures for the investigation and remedy of complaints.
3. Aligns the minimum age of employment with the end of compulsory education, in line with ILO Minimum Age Convention standards.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

Statement by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, at Somalia’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The UK commends Somalia for its engagement with the UN human rights system. We recognise the progress Somalia has made by establishing a National Independent Human Rights Commission.

We remain deeply concerned about reported differentiation of the age of “responsibility” and the age of “maturity”. It is essential that the rights of children, individuals below the age of 18, are protected. 

We remain concerned at the ongoing loss of civilian life due to conflict and insecurity, continuing cases of sexual and gender-based violence, and restrictions on freedom of expression, including the detention of journalists.

We recommend:

1. Prioritising protecting the rights of children, protecting the rights of all individuals under the age of 18.
2. Ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and undertaking its swift implementation.
3. Ensuring freedom of speech and strong protections for journalists operating in Somalia.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

The UK welcomed Armenia’s successful hosting of the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, reaffirmed UK support for Armenia’s democratic resilience, and highlighted the agreement of a new UK–Armenia Strategic Partnership.

Thank you, Mr Chair.  And I thank the delegation of Armenia for updating us on the European Political Community Summit held in Yerevan earlier this week.

The UK warmly welcomes Armenia’s hosting of the EPC and commends the Armenian authorities for the smooth organisation of the Summit. We were pleased that the OSCE was invited to attend and that the Secretary General was able to participate.

My Prime Minister met Prime Minister Pashinyan in the margins of the Summit. He commended the significant steps taken to secure peace in the region and thanked Prime Minister Pashinyan for his leadership on the issue.

My Prime Minister also underlined the UK’s steadfast support for Armenia’s democratic resilience – including through practical co-operation on counter-disinformation, cyber security, and supporting an independent judiciary and media.

As the next step in deepening our relationship, our leaders agreed a new UK–Armenia Strategic Partnership, marking a step change in the bilateral relationship and taking cooperation to a new level across defence and security, economic growth, and democratic resilience.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2026.

The Democracy Defenders Award recognises the contribution civil society makes to promoting democracy in the OSCE region. PromoLex promotes democratic values, developing a strong civil society and implementing internationally recognised human rights standards in Moldova.

On behalf of the Democracy Defender Initiative, I would like to inform the Permanent Council of the following matter.  

In 2016, the Democracy Defender Award was established to recognize the enormous contribution that civil society makes to defending and promoting democracy in the OSCE region.  The Award honours outstanding contributions to upholding the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.  

In keeping with this tradition, we are pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2026 Award is PromoLex.  

PromoLex focuses on promoting democratic values, developing a strong civil society, and implementing internationally recognised human rights in Moldova. The organisation is made up human rights activists who work to provide legal assistance, strategic litigation, research, and human rights monitoring.  It is also a leading actor in election observation, contributing to the integrity and transparency of electoral processes through monitoring, independent reporting, and advocacy for electoral reform in line with international standards.” 

The 10th Anniversary Democracy Defender Award Presentation and Seminar will take place on 13 May 2026.     

In addition to the official presentation of the 2026 Democracy Defender Award, the Seminar, featuring a panel of expert speakers, will explore how civil society can help address democratic backsliding and build democratic resilience in the OSCE region. Invitations have been distributed, and we encourage Delegations’ response and attendance.