Nazanin’s daughter Gabriella, 7, asks ‘is it a mummy’ during heartwarming reunion

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s, freed after nearly six years in prison in Iran, hugs and kisses her daughter when she is heard asking “is it a mummy” as she gets off the plane in Brize Norton

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s seven-year-old daughter, Gabriella, is heard asking “is that a mummy?” when her mother got off the plane that took her back to the UK and into the arms of her family.

The mother of one child, who spent nearly six years in an Iranian prison, was reunited with her husband and daughter at Brize Norton military airbase in Oxfordshire shortly after 1am on Thursday.

Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, along with Anoosheh Ashoori who have also been released, were initially sent to the Gulf state of Oman, which has been closely involved in behind-the-scenes negotiations to secure the deal. release them, before they are flown to the UK.

In a video shared on Instagram by Anoosheh Ashoori’s daughter, Elika Ashoori, Gabriella shouted “mummy” as Zaghari-Ratcliffe descended the plane’s stairs.

Later in the video, Richard Ratcliffe shakes Mr Ashoori’s hand, before Mr Ashoori is reunited with his family, who are in tears.

Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe appears in the video and hugs her daughter, and is seen hugging and kissing members of the Ashoori family.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was later seen leaving RAF Brize Norton with her family after an emotional reunion behind closed doors.

They were seen talking and hugging through the window of the airport reception building for at least an hour after Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe landed.

The photo shows a seven-year-old girl excitedly running around the room and being carried by her mother on her hip.

The family is being placed in Government-supported accommodation for the night.

A welcome party including Secretary of State Liz Truss saw Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Mr Ashoori arrive at the airport.

The group of people who seemed excited were looking out the windows of the reception building as the plane carrying the freed Anglo-Iranians landed and the couple landed.

Speaking at RAF Brize Norton, Foreign Affairs Secretary Liz Truss said: “People are in very, very good spirits.

“I thought it was a really tough 48 hours, expecting that they would be released, but we weren’t sure until the last minute.

“It was a very emotional moment, but also a really happy moment for the families, and I am pleased to say that both Nazanin and Anoosheh are in good spirits and that they are safe and well. back to England.”

Asked if Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Mr Ashoori would thank her after their return, Ms Truss said: “Well, I thank them and I thank the families for how strictly they lived. during this really difficult time.

“And we talked about the process we went through, the tough last part was making sure they were able to leave Iran but it was wonderful to welcome them back to the UK safe and well. ”