Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: Daughter Slept 'In Between Mum And Dad' For First Time In Six Years

The daughter of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and husband Richard slept in between her parents last night for the first time since they were forced apart exactly six years ago, their MP has revealed.

The family were finally reunited on Wednesday night after Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was captured and detained in Iran on 17 March, 2016.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 43, and fellow Iranian detainee, Anoosheh Ashoori touched down at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire just after 1am and walked off the plane together.

They spent an hour behind closed doors talking with and hugging loved ones before being transported to government accommodation.

Despite only being back in the UK for a matter of hours, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her husband have already been raising awareness about another British-Iranian national still in Iran.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's MP, Tulip Siddiq, shared the "first family selfie" of three of them on Twitter on Thursday evening.

She tweeted:

"So lovely to have uplifting conversations with Richard and Nazanin today.

"They are both relentless in their pursuit of justice and raised the plight of Morad Tahbaz with me. Here I was hoping to sleep for a week…"

Earlier on Thursday, she described a conversation with Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband:

"Richard sounds so happy this morning.

"He laughingly told me that Gabriella slept in between him and Nazanin last night for the first time in six years."

The Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn in north London told Sky News how the family plan to isolate for a few weeks before they "eventually come out into the real world".

Gabriella, seven, didn't believe her mum was coming home and began playing the piano when she realised the news was true, Ms Siddiq said.

Richard's sister, Rebecca Ratcliffe, told Sky News on Thursday morning:

"It's been a long time coming and it's just the most wonderful news to hear, it's been a lovely 24 hours."

Family 'still digesting' what has happened 

Speaking from South Wales, Ms Ratcliffe said the family are "still digesting" the momentous events and "the suddenness which this has all happened".

"There is an element of shock," she said.

But the family are cherishing "quiet moments where they can just be," Ms Ratcliffe said.

"Last night when they finally got to bed, which was in the early hours of the morning, they all snuggled down together and there's a lovely photo Richard just sent me with Gabriella and Nazanin sharing a cup of tea in bed and just really enjoying all being together," Ms Ratcliffe said.

Of their plans for the next few days, Mr Ratcliffe told his sister they plan to "play it by ear" and "take each day as it comes".

They are expected to remain in government accommodation for a few more days before meeting other relatives.

The family will, at some point, return to their home in London.

But Ms Ratcliffe said the length of time they stay depends on Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's "emotional stamina" - adding the family may escape on a holiday.

Big adjustment 

It will be a big adjustment for all the family - including Mr Ratcliffe, who has devoted years to fighting for his wife's freedom.

"You suddenly realise all your dreams have come true and your family is back together again," Ms Ratcliffe added.

"I'm sure they will adjust to the normal rhythms of family life but it's going to take a while."

It is hoped the trio will join Richard's parents and family in Wales in the coming days - but there are no plans for a big party, his sister said.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was pictured tenderly cradling her seven-year-old daughter in emotional scenes after arriving in the UK.

Her ordeal began in 2016 in Tehran as she tried to leave the airport in the Iranian capital after being accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

What led to the Britons finally being freed?

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she couldn't be certain Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Mr Ashoori could actually be released "until the last minute."

The breakthrough came after Britain paid £393.8m to settle a debt related to a tank order placed by Iran in the late 1970s.

Reacting to the news, Mr Ratcliffe said he was "so relieved" his wife was at last coming home so they could "start being a normal family again."

'Blood money' 

Downing Street defended the almost £400m to Iran after ministers were accused of paying "blood money" to secure Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release.

Former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo - who served under President Donald Trump - criticised the UK for "rewarding hostage-takers".

The money would be used by Tehran to "terrorise" Israel, Britain and the US, Mr Pompeo said.

But Number 10 said the payment was not "contingent" on the release of detainees.

The prime minister's official spokesman said the UK had never accepted British nationals being used as "political leverage", and that the money was "ring-fenced" for the purchase of humanitarian goods.