Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman who was detained in Iran for six years before being released in 2022, has welcomed the UK's appointment of Alistair Burt as the first-ever envoy for complex consular cases. This role is designed to handle difficult situations involving British citizens abroad, especially those in long-term detention. Zaghari-Ratcliffe emphasized that the position should not be used as an excuse for the government’s inaction and stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens, not the families of those detained. She also called on the government to ensure that families of other detained citizens, like Craig and Lindsay Foreman, are not overlooked and to take the lead in securing their release. Alistair Burt, a former Conservative Middle East minister, has acknowledged the challenges he faces in his new role. He clarified that he does not make policy or have ministerial authority, and that the final decisions will rest with the foreign secretary and the prime minister. However, he said he can help to review and challenge the Foreign Office’s strategy and support families in making sure their concerns are heard. Burt is set to meet with the new foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, later this week. Naomi Connell, who supports the families of Craig and Lindsay Foreman—two British citizens held in Iran for over 600 days on espionage charges they deny—described the experience as "soul destroying" for families who feel they are being "managed" by the government rather than actively helped. She noted that Burt’s recent visit to their family was a positive step, but she called for real action. Earlier this summer, The Independent reported that Iran is seeking the return of an Iranian national held in a British prison for 23 years, as the Foremans urged British officials to consider an exchange. Craig Foreman believes that Richard Jan, the Iranian man held in the UK, could be the only avenue for negotiating their release after his case was raised by their jailers during a consular meeting. A UK government spokesperson denied any truth to claims of a potential exchange arrangement. However, former deputy prime minister David Lammy acknowledged that "arrangements can be made" when questioned about the issue on Sky News. This suggests that while the government is not officially confirming any deal, there may be room for discussion in such cases.