NAZANIN ZAGHARI-RATCLIFFE called for the release of other dual nationals “unjustly” detained in Iran today. 

Speaking publicly for the first time since her return home, the 43-year-old hit out at the British government for taking six years to secure her release from detention. 

“What’s happened now should have happened six years ago. I shouldn’t have been in prison for six years,” she told a press conference. 

The release of Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, a retired civil engineer who was detained for almost five years, last Wednesday came after the British government paid off a £400 million debt dating back to the 1970s. 

“I have seen five foreign secretaries change over the course of six years,” Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe said. 

“We all know … how I came home. It should have happened exactly six years ago.”

She also called for the release of Morad Tahbaz, a British-US national who was put on prison furlough as part of the release deal but not returned home. 

Mr Tahbaz, a wildlife conservationist who also has Iranian citizenship, is now on hunger strike in protest at being left behind, his sister has said. 

“I believe that the meaning of freedom is never going to be complete as to such time that all of us who are unjustly detained in Iran are reunited with our families,” Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe said. 

Speaking of her experience in detention, she said it would “always haunt me,” but that coming back was also tough. 

“Coming back to a daughter who is nearly eight, I left her when she was not even two — there is a whole lot to catch up,” she said.