The worried family of a British citizen who has started a hunger strike in an Iranian prison says he is "desperate to live".
Anoosheh Ashoori has been behind bars for more than four years after being arbitrarily arrested while visiting Iran.
The 67-year-old yesterday started a hunger strike in Evin Prison - where fellow Brit Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has also previously been detained - in frustration over lack of progress.
His loved ones fear that his case has fallen down the government pecking order as Boris Johnson fights for his survival in Downing Street.
They have called on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to seek assurances that dual-nationals in Iran will be released as a condition for economic sanctions being lifted.
Mr Ashoori's wife, Sherry Izadi, today told The Mirror: "He did a hunger strike when he was arrested for 17 days, and that seriously undermined his health.
"He told me this morning that when he did that hunger strike his aim was to die. He said he wanted to die so his family wouldn't be harmed, but this time he's doing it because he wants to live, he wants his freedom."
Ms Izadi, who has lived in South London for more than 20 years, says she fears the family is in a worse position than six months ago, and hit out at the UK government's inaction.
"People shouldn't have to resort to starving themselves to make themselves heard," she said. "This is wrong on any level."
Retired engineer Mr Ashoori was visiting his mother in Tehran when he was arrested in 2017 and sentenced to 10 years behind bars after being accused of spying.
He has periodically been kept in solitary confinement and interrogated under threat of violence since his arrest, with the UK government saying his detention is "wholly unjustified".
Ms Izadi said she fears the reaction the hunger strike will provoke from authorities as he may be moved - but said she supported her husband's actions.
"It's bittersweet," she said. "We're worried about him being moved to another prison with violent criminals.
"But he's very determined, he's got a very positive attitude and this has given him a reason to keep on going. He genuinely thinks it may do some good and he's happy about the momentum it gives."
The family is hoping that Mr Ashoori's actions spur the UK government into action, amid hopes Iran will agree to release detained dual-nationals if the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) agreement is resumed.
The 2015 agreement saw economic sanctions being lifted in exchange for Iran's nuclear activities being limited.
Mr Ashoori's son Aryan today told The Mirror he fears the government's current turmoil has shifted attention away from working to free hostages in Iran.
He said: "Because this government is in the quagmire it's sunk into, we're worried they're wasting the opportunities they have. It's really worrying."
If there is a change of leadership in Downing Street, Ms Izadi said it is crucial that the case is not "reset to zero".
"Maybe a change in government would be positive, providing the foundation is already there," she said. "I do feel like we've gone backwards in the last six months."
One passionate advocate for Mr Ashoori's release is acclaimed British-Iranian actress Nazanin Boniadi, star of blockbusters Bombshell, Hotel Mumbai and the forthcoming Amazon series Lord of the Rings.
Ms Boniadi told The Mirror: "I have a father who's around that age and I can very easily see myself in Aryan and (Mr Ashoori's daughter) Elika.
"I think it's abhorrent. I've spent time with the Ashooris and we can all relate during this pandemic how it feels not to see loved ones.
"My family fled persecution when I was 20 days old, I was raised in a country where women are respected and we can't take that for granted.
"I can't wait to meet Anoosheh, Nazanin and Mehran Raoof and Morad Tahbaz (British nationals who are also being detained)."
An FCDO spokesperson has said: “Iran’s continued detention of Anoosheh Ashoori is wholly unjustified.
"We call on Iran to end his suffering and allow him to return home to be reunited with his wife and children.
“Iran should free all those British nationals unfairly detained in Iran.
"The Foreign Secretary, Minister Cleverly and senior officials consistently raise the cases of Nazanin Zaghari- Ratcliffe, Anoosheh Ashoori and Morad Tahbaz with the Iranian authorities and will continue to do so.”
