Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested while touring Iran, accused of spying, as UK officials seek consular access amid strained relations tensions.
A British couple has been detained in Iran on espionage charges, raising fresh concerns over the treatment of foreign nationals and adding strain to already fragile relations between Tehran and Western governments.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both in their early 50s, were arrested in January 2025, while traveling through Iran on a round-the-world motorcycle trip, according to their family and UK officials. Iranian authorities say the couple entered the country as tourists but were gathering information on behalf of foreign intelligence services, an accusation their relatives strongly deny.
The couple was detained in the city of Kerman, in central Iran, before being transferred to separate prisons in Tehran. Lindsay Foreman is being held at Qarchak women’s prison, while Craig Foreman is detained at Evin prison, a facility long criticized by human rights groups for harsh conditions and the detention of political prisoners and foreign nationals.
Iranian state-linked media have reported that the case involves national security concerns, though no detailed evidence has been made public. Tehran has a history of detaining dual nationals and foreigners on security-related charges, a practice Western governments describe as arbitrary and, in some cases, politically motivated.
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The Foreman’s’ family says the couple traveled openly and legally and had no involvement in intelligence work. Their son, Joe Bennett, has publicly appealed to the UK government to intensify efforts to secure their release, saying his parents are being held without justification and require humanitarian consideration.
“They are ordinary people who love travel and adventure,” Bennett said, calling on officials to prioritize their welfare and ensure regular access to medical care and legal support.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is providing consular assistance and is in contact with Iranian authorities. In a statement, officials said they are raising the case at senior levels but declined to comment on specific diplomatic steps, citing the sensitivity of the situation.
The detention comes at a time of cautious and often tense engagement between London and Tehran, shaped by disputes over Iran’s nuclear program, regional security issues, and human rights concerns. Past cases involving detained foreign nationals have taken months or years to resolve.
The couple have now spoken publicly for the first time since their detention in comments shared with the BBC, describing their uncertainty and appealing for international attention.
Analysts say the case highlights the risks faced by foreign travelers in Iran and underscores broader diplomatic challenges between Iran and Western countries, where legal processes often intersect with geopolitics.
