minister. our diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports. it could look routine. borisjohnson and his iranian counterpart, mohammad javad zarif, shake hands on the way into talks. but there's nothing routine about this encounter. the foreign secretary looking uncharacteristically tense, and with good reason. he wants to improve relations but also criticise some of iran's actions while arguing for iranian prison releases, including of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe — a case many accuse him of damaging by loose talk last month. watching anxiously with me in london, nazanin's husband, richard ratcliffe. he has campaigned day in, day out for her freedom since nazanin's arrest in april last year. i'm sure it'll make a difference, i'm sure him being there, i'm sure him raising her case, raising her case in the context of lots of other stuff can only help improve relations and improved relations can only lead to a better case for us. i think that's right, but i'm not expecting that on monday morning he comes back with her on the plane. borisjohnson is saying nothing at all publicly wh

zaghari—ratcliffe‘s situation. our diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports. it could look routine, shaking hands before talks will stop but there is nothing routine about this encounter. the foreign secretary and uncharacteristic pretence, and with good reason. he wants to improve relations, but also criticised some of iran's actions, while arguing for prison releases, including of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, i case many accuse him of damaging because of loose talk last month. watching

relations with the uk in the future. well our diplomatic correspondent james robbins told us about the meeting between president rouhani and boris johnson. they spent nearly an hour together. now, borisjohnson's very deliberately said nothing publicly before leaving iran. this is so sensitive. but the foreign office put out a statement saying that they had discussed the full range of issues, including banking matters, and our concerns about the consular cases of dual nationals. now, banking matters could include an outstanding debt of £400 million owed by britain to iran. britain says the money is ready to be paid, and they are only waiting to make sure that they can do it in a way that is compliant with international sanctions. neither side is linking the money in any way with this appeal for prisoner releases. but nevertheless, you can see that there is a possibility for progress, and that's what the foreign office say they are going to try and build on. james robinson there. in the last half an hour at james james robinson there. in the last half an hour atjames has been speaking t

denies. our diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports. it could look routine. borisjohnson and is reign in counterpart shake hands on their way into talks. but there is nothing routine about this encounter. the foreign secretary looking uncharacteristically tense, and with good reason. he was to improve relations, but also criticised overrun‘s actions, while arguing fora rainy criticised overrun‘s actions, while arguing for a rainy and political releases. good in that of nazanin is —— are gone. releases. good in that of nazanin is -- are gone. i'm sure him being there and raising a case in the context of lots of other stuff can only help improve relations and can only help improve relations and can only help improve relations and a better case for us. i think it is right, though not expecting that on monday morning, he comes back with anything. boris johnson is not saying anything publicly while he is in iran. instead, the foreign office released a statement following what they called a constructive meeting. they discussed the full range of bilateral issues and they both s

. our diplomatic correspondent james robbins has been speaking to nazanin‘s husband, richard ratcliffe, about today's developments. tell me about the meeting but mostly what the foreign secretary was able to say. he was very clear and committed and said that seeing nazanin was a top priority and he had raised the case with everyone he had met, he did not promise he would get her out tomorrow but he said it was the top priority and he was doing what he could. and they came away much more reassured that he said he was doing all he could. he said that he would be meeting the president tomorrow and raising the case strongly and, if you look at the consequences of his meetings, she was not in court today. it is not the same as it all being over but it is definitely a positive step. what does nazanin think? i spoke to nazanin on the phone this morning. she was relieved when i spoke to her on the telephone. more upbeat. it is ongoing, she is up and down and there are moments where she still needs reassurance from me that it will be ok but she talked about how she could see light at

robbins, joins me now. and james, boris johnson got and james, borisjohnson got into a spot of hot water for suggesting that she was there training journalists when in fact she has been insisting all along she was there on holiday. what do we think this visit may achieve? boris johnson announced his imminent visit himself. he made clear that it is long planned. and that the urging of releases is not the sole purpose. he said he will be raising other issues. on specifically the case of nazanin ghazali —— nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. boris johnson nazanin ghazali —— nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. borisjohnson had to apologise to parliament for using language which appeared to suggest she may not have been there just to see herfamily, she may not have been there just to see her family, which she may not have been there just to see herfamily, which is what richard radcliffe, her husband, has a lwa ys richard radcliffe, her husband, has always said. she denies the charges against. mrjohnson will be raising her case and a number of other so—called consular cases of dual nationals. they

chore >> next on history bookshelf, james robbins talks about his book the real custer on the life and military career of general george custer. custer'sns recounts childhood and formative years as well as his time in battle from the civil war to his defeat at the battle of little bighorn. we recorded this event in 2014 at the hudson library and historical society in hudson, ohio. james: i would like to thank all the hudson library team. it has been great meeting some of you in the audience. it is great to be out of the beltway. ohio, alsoer is from grant, sheridan, sherman all have ohio roots.

pressed for her release. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports. borisjohnson spent nearly an hour with iran's president, hassan rouhani, that access itself seen as a good sign as improving relations. the foreign office says both sides spoke forthrightly about obstacles in the relationship and the need to make progress. once again, boris johnson raised the case of dual nationals in iranian prisons, including nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe. we now know the foreign secretary last night met some of nazanin‘s family in tehran. in london, her husband richard is much happier today, showing me pictures of his iranian family and delighted by the fact that nazanin didn't have to face a possible court appearance today. he told me about the family meeting with borisjohnson. the foreign secretary also met with nazanin‘s father and had a long chat, 45 minutes, with him, talked about it and he said "i have raised her case with everyone i have met. this is important. i will keep worrying and battling for her. don't worry, we're caring for her and we'll do what we can". they came away pretty

russia. our diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports from moscow. handshakes can be deceptive. true, this foreign secretary has broken a five—year british boycott of visits to moscow. but when russia's sergei lavrov says he wants a return to business as usual, borisjohnson says that impossible. as you rightly say, sergei, things are not easy between us at the moment. the talks aired the grievances on both sides and examined space for a limited cooperation, by supporting the iran nuclear deal together, and opposing the nuclear threat from north korea. but deep disagreements remain. at theirjoint news conference, that was stark. for all the attempts at banter, there was a seriousness when sergei lavrov tried to brush off british allegations of russian meddling in foreign elections. translation: my neighbour, boris johnson, recently stated he had no evidence that russia medal in the referendum on the withdrawal of britain from the european union. not successfully. not successfully, i think is the word. not successfully is the word that i think you need to introduce. translation

the difficult issues in the relationship. james robbins, bbc news. let‘s take a look at some of the other stories making the news: 4,000 firefighters are tackling several wildfires in california which are still burning out of control north of los angeles. one person is known to have been killed while trying to escape the flames, and more than 200,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. in alabama — roy moore, the republican party‘s candidate for the vacant senator‘s seat, has been told he won‘t be backed by richard shelby — who is also a senator for the state. republicans have publicly distanced themselves from mr moore since he was accused of having relationships with teenage girls whilst in his thirties. he denies the claims. mr moore has been enthusiastically backed by president trump. in venezuela — president nicolas maduro says the country‘s main opposition parties won‘t be able to take part in next year‘s presidential election. he made the announcement after voting ended in polls to choose mayors in over three hundred towns and cities. he said only

two days and that is all that i can helpful. richard ratcliffe was speaking to james robbins. students in england are being encouraged to study for undergraduate degrees in two years rather than three. the universities ministerjo johnson says these shorter courses will save thousands of pounds in tuition fees — even though universities would be able to charge nearly 2,000—pounds more in addition per year. andy moore reports. it was a conservative manifesto promise to introduce more 2—year degree courses. but implementing that plan has proved tough going. the universities say it will mean major changes to their schedules, with the prospect of the same or less money in income. by the government's own admission, the pickup so far has been pitiful, with only 0.2% of students on fast—tracked degrees. the new scheme would see students pay more for each individual year of their course, but more than £5,000 less than they would have done if it had lasted three years. it is a fantastic offer. the same quality degree, quality assured in exactly the same way, provided in a more intensive

correspondent james robbins reports. it could look routine, shaking hands before talks. but there is nothing routine about this encounter. the foreign secretary looking uncharacteristically tense, and with good reason. he wants to improve relations, but also criticise some of iran's actions, while arguing for prison releases, including of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, a case many accuse him of damaging because of loose talk last month. watching anxiously with me in london, nazanin‘s husband, who has campaigned day in, day out for freedom since she was arrested last year. i'm sure it will make a difference, him being there, raising her case, and in the context of a lot of other stuff, can only help improve relations, can only lead to a better case for us. i think that's right. i'm not expecting that on monday morning he comes back with her on the plane. borisjohnson is saying nothing at all publicly while in iran, instead the foreign office issued a statement after two hours of what they called a constructive meeting. one good sign is that iran's foreign minister confirmed borisjohnson shoul

. our diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports. it could look routine. borisjohnson and his iranian counterpart, mohammad javad zarif, shake hands on the way into talks. but there's nothing routine about this encounter. the foreign secretary looking uncharacteristically tense,

against it. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports from moscow. handshakes can be deceptive. true, this foreign secretary has broken a five—year british boycott of visits to moscow. but when russia's sergei lavrov says he wants a return to business as usual, boris johnson says that's impossible. as you rightly say, sergei, things are not easy between us at the moment. the talks aired the grievances on both sides and examined space for a limited cooperation, by supporting the iran nuclear deal together, and opposing the nuclear threat from north korea. but deep disagreements remain. at theirjoint news conference, that was stark. for all the attempts at banter, there was a seriousness when sergei lavrov tried to brush off british allegations of russian meddling in foreign elections. translation: my neighbour, boris johnson, recently stated he had no evidence that russia meddled in the referendum on the withdrawal of britain from the european union. not successfully. not successfully, i think is the word. not successfully is the word that i think you need to introduce. transl

had discussions with the iranian foreign minister. our diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports. it could look routine. borisjohnson and his iranian counterpart, mohammad javad zarif, shake hands on the way into talks. but there's nothing routine about this encounter. the foreign secretary looking uncharacteristically tense, and with good reason.

—old conflict could lead to widespread violence once again. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james robbins joins me. james, taking up on what tom was saying, this violence we have seen is what was feared the most?m saying, this violence we have seen is what was feared the most? it was predicted widely predicted by president trump's state department who issued instructions to that effect to its own diplomats, to avoid all but essential travel to the region. what is really remarkable that was in tom's report was the scale of international unity against the position taken by president trump. it is advocating com pletely president trump. it is advocating completely different tactics, hamas and the government of the major western powers, including britain and france, who are calling for a discussion of the united states brahma decisions in the security council. it is very unusual for the europeans to be seen orchestrating a meeting in the un which is bound to be highly critical of washington. it isa be highly critical of washington. it is a remarkable moment but the hope is a remarkable moment but th

. mrjohnson described the visit to tehran as worthwhile. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james robbins joins me. james, does it look like there may have been a bit of progress?m does, the mere fact of getting access to president hassan rouhani suggests that. they spent almost an hour together. borisjohnson has deliberately said nothing publicly before leaving iran, it is so sensitive, but the foreign office put out a statement saying they discuss the full range of issues, including banking matters and are concerned about the consular cases of dual nationals. banking matters could include an outstanding debt of £400 million owed by britain to run, britain says the money is ready to be paid and they are making sure they can do it in a way which complies with international sanctions. neither side is linking the money to this appealfor prison side is linking the money to this appeal for prison releases but there isa appeal for prison releases but there is a possibility for progress and the foreign office says it will build on hello again. you are watching bbc news. more now on the snow disruption

discuss britain's wider relations with iran. here's our diplomatic correspondent, james robbins. boris johnson's first visit to iran could hardly be more sensitive. last month he was accused of damaging the case for the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe by remarks he later apologised for. on his way to iran to see iran's foreign minister, heissued iran to see iran's foreign minister, he issued a statement, saying: the foreign secretary says he will also emphasise the uk's continued support for the nuclear deal with iran, despite his repudiation but president trump. —— by. at he will also make clear uk's concerns about some of iran was mac activities, notably in syria and yemen. he described the relationship with iran is improving, but not straightforward. the foreign secretary has been careful to lower any expectations of imminent release for mrs zaghari—ratcliffe, warning that such cases are very difficult. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james robbins reporting. one of the cabinet's leading brexiteers has suggested that voters can use the next general election to have their s

this move. many thanks. our diplomatic correspondent james robbins is here. the president says it will be a big announcement, what does this signify if he goes ahead? i think almost impossible to exaggerate the significance of what the president is apparently going to do, to be the first nation to recognisejerusalem as the capital of israel. something that has never happened across 70 yea rs of its that has never happened across 70 years of its history. and potentially it is a game changer because so much of the substance of a two state solution negotiation is based on the idea that in the final pa rt based on the idea that in the final part of the talks, the very vexed question ofjerusalem will be addressed and only then. the president has pulled the rug from under all that and unsurprisingly has outraged both his allies and many arab countries in the region. king abdullah ofjordan today said and of course it was from jordan thatis and of course it was from jordan that is jerusalem and of course it was from jordan that isjerusalem was taken by israel. and jordan and the king of jordan

discuss britain's wider relations with iran. here's our diplomatic correspondent james robbins. boris johnson's first visit to iran could hardly be more sensitive. last month he was accused of damaging the case for the release of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe by remarks he later apologised for. on his way to tehran to see iran's foreign minister, he issued a statement, saying: the foreign secretary says he will also emphasise the uk's continued support for the nuclear deal with iran, despite its repudiation by president trump. but he will also make clear uk's concerns about some of iran's activities, notably in syria and yemen. mrjohnson described the relationship with iran as "improving, but not straightforward." the foreign secretary has been careful to lower any expectations of imminent release for mrs zaghari—ratcliffe, warning that such cases are very difficult. that was our diplomatic correspondent james robbins reporting. one of the cabinet's leading brexiteers has suggested that voters can use the next general election to have their say on a final deal with the european union

correspondent james robbins reports. borisjohnson spent nearly an hour with iran's president. that access itself, seen as a good sign as improving relations. the foreign office says both sides spoke forthrightly about obstacles in the relationship and the need to make progress. borisjohnson raised the case of dual nationals in iranians prisons, including nazanin zaghari—ratcliff. the foreign secretary met some of herfamily in tehran. in london, her husband richard is much happier, showing me pictures of his iranian family and delighted by the fact she didn't have to face a possible court appearance. he told me about the family meeting with borisjohnson. the foreign secretary also met with herfather and had a long chat with him, talked and said, i have raised her case with everyone i have met. keep worrying and battling for her. don't worry, we will do what we can. they came away pretty helpful. if there has been progress, where might it have been made? the foreign secretary has been careful to say nothing publicly while in iran. but a foreign office statement says the two sides d

it's believed he pressed for her release. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports. borisjohnson spent nearly an hour with iran's president. that access itself seen as a good sign as improving relations. the foreign office says both sides spoke forthrightly about obstacles in the relationship and the need to make progress. borisjohnson raised the case of dual nationals in iranian prisons, including nazanin zaghari—ratcliff. the foreign secretary met some of her family in tehran. in london, her husband richard is much happier, showing me pictures of his iranian family, and delighted by the fact she didn't have to face a possible court appearance. he told me about the family meeting with borisjohnson. the foreign secretary also met with nazanin's father and had a long chat with him, talked and said, i have raised her case with everyone i have met. i'll keep worrying and battling for her. don't worry, we will do what we can. they came away pretty hopeful. if there has been progress, where might it have been made? the foreign secretary has been careful to say nothing

retorted that the accusations were fabricated. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports on this most revealing of visits. handshakes can be deceptive. true, this foreign secretary has broken a five—year british boycott of visits to moscow. but when russia's sergei lavrov says he wants a return to business as usual, borisjohnson says that's impossible. as you rightly say, sergei, things are not easy between us at the moment. the talks aired grievances on both sides and examined space for limited cooperation. by supporting the iran nuclear deal together and opposing the nuclear threat from north korea. but deep disagreements remain. at theirjoint news conference, that was stark. for all the efforts at banter there was a seriousness when sergei lavrov tried to brush off british allegations of russia meddling in foreign elections. translation: my neighbour boris johnson recently stated he had no evidence that russia meddled in the referendum on the withdrawal of britain from the european union. not successfully, not successfully i think is the word. not successfully is the wo

, including the threat posed by north korea. our diplomatic correspondent, james robbins, reports from moscow now. winter in red square. and beneath the kremlin walls, the holiday ice rink is busy. by borisjohnson will not be bringing good cheer. instead, he is bringing a blunt message to russia, stop destabilising the national security of britain and its allies, including by hostile cyber espionage. twice before, plans for borisjohnson to visit moscow have been called off. now, he says, it cannot be business as usual, but somejoint work is cannot be business as usual, but some joint work is vital to solve the most pressing global challenges. britain sees those shared challenges coming from north korea's accelerated nuclear weapons programme and the threat from syria of islamist fighters fleeing the battlefield to duckett russia as well as western europe. but will russia's government treat him seriously? all british prepper sedatives nowadays, not only boris johnson, i seemed as those mostly consumed by the messy situation. —— representatives. britain is not innate position to grea

russia. our diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports. handshakes can be deceptive. true, this foreign secretary has broken a five—year british boycott of visits to moscow. but when russia's sergei lavrov says he wants a return to business as usual, borisjohnson says that's impossible. as you rightly say, sergei, things are not easy between us at the moment. the talks aired grievances on both and grievances on both sides and examined space for limited cooperation. by supporting the iran nuclear deal together and opposing the nuclear threat from north korea. but deep disagreements remain. at theirjoint news conference, that was stark. for all the efforts at banter there was a seriousness when sergey there was a seriousness when sergei lavrov tried to brush off british allegations of russia meddling in foreign elections. translation: my neighbour borisjohnson recently stated he had no evidence that russia meddled in the referendum on the withdrawal of britain from the european union. not successfully, not successfully i think is the word. not successfully is the word that i thi

, allegations which she denies. our diplomatic correspondent, james robbins has been speaking to nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's husband richard about today's developments. the foreign secretary was very clear and committed. he said that she was and committed. he said that she was a top priority and he said it was doing what he could. they came away much more reassured that he is doing all he can and he said we will be meeting the president and he will be raising her case strongly. if you look at the consequences of his meeting, well, she wasn't in court today. so it is not the same as it all being over, but it's definitely all being over, but it's definitely a positive step. what does nazanin thing? i spoke to her on the phone and she was relieved. she was more upbeat. and it is ongoing and she is up upbeat. and it is ongoing and she is up and down and there are moments where she still needs reassurance that it will be ok but she talked about how she could see that there was light at the end of the tunnel and she said please keep praying for me and let's hope we have turned a corner. it d

how he explains himself but he has alarmed his allies in europe. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james robbins is here. it is hard top underline how significant this announcement will be if he makes it. — to underline. significant this announcement will be if he makes it. — to underlinelj don't be if he makes it. — to underline.” don't think we can doubt the significance. it is huge. president trump is effectively repudiating the united states' foreign policy of almost 70 years. no president has ever recognised jerusalem as the capital of israel and for good reasons, because they believe that to do so could be incendiary and could, of course, prejudice a possible, positive outcome from talks about a two—state solution. now for all the caveats what the white house officials are apparently putting in, the fact is this does seem to endorse the taking of east jerusalem in the 1976, six day war by israel and that's something that has never been recognised internationally and it seems in a sense, also, to legitimise from president trump's point of view, much of the settlements by i

a number ofareas, including mrs zaghari—ratcliffe‘s situation. our diplomatic correspondent james robbins reports. it could look routine, shaking hands before talks will stop but there is nothing routine about this encounter. the foreign secretary and uncharacteristic pretence, and with good reason. he wants to improve relations, but also criticised some of iran's actions, while arguing for prison releases, including of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, i case many accuse him of damaging because of loose talk last month. watching anxiously with me in london, nazanin‘s husband, who has campaigned today in, day out for freedom since was arrested last year. i'm sure it will make a difference, him being there, raising her case, and in the context of a lot of other stuff, can only help improve relations, can only lead to a better case for us. i think that's right. i'm not expecting that on monday morning he comes back with her on the plane. boris johnson is saying nothing at all publicly while in iran, instead of foreign office issued a statement after two hours of what they cold a constr

, which she denies. this afternoon, our diplomatic correspondent james robbins spoke to nazanin‘s husband richard ratcliffe, who spoke about his hopes that the foreign secretary's visit could help see his wife released from prison before christmas. it's obvious that nazanin is not coming home with the foreign secretary, but you think there is any evidence this series of meetings could make a difference? i'm sure it will make a difference, him being there, him raising the case in the context of a lot of other stuff can only help improve relations and improve relations can only lead to a better case for us. i think that's right, i'm not expecting that on monday morning she comes back with him on the plane, looking closely at who she gets to meet and what happens tomorrow with her court case. and will we have it, and how will it go? and i'm looking forward to hearing on monday and tuesday whenever he is back with the debrief is about what went on. and surely wa nt is about what went on. and surely want me of a thing because some things stay secret, but we are in a place where we're l

was our diplomatic correspondent, james robbins reporting. let's speak to our security correspondent, frank gardner, whojoins us from bahrain. good morning, frank. talk about the sensitivities surrounding boris johnson's arrival in iran? sensitivities surrounding boris johnson's arrival in iran? to call this mission delicate would be an understatement. boris johnson is going to be stepping in to aid diplomatic minefield. —— a. i think the best way to think about this is that there are two irans. there is the public iran, with a democratically elect did the government under president rohani, and the foreign minister that he will meet, and the normal officials. then there is the deep state, the irani revolutionary guard, the ha rd core irani revolutionary guard, the hardcore judiciary, irani revolutionary guard, the hardcorejudiciary, the hardliners, the people who want to make a real issue out of issues such as zaghari—ratcliffe. they will make it very difficult. they will potentially have a shopping list, a wish list. if there is any talk of releasing her, and of course the for