The family of a British couple sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran on espionage charges has said they have lost all contact with them and are terrified for their safety.
Background of the Case
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both 53, from East Sussex, were arrested in January 2025 while traveling through Iran on an around-the-world motorcycle trip. They are being held in Tehran's Evin prison and have denied the espionage charges against them.
Loss of Contact
Their family fears that the couple's telephone access, their only means of communication with the outside world, has been cut off as retribution for speaking out about their detention. Their son, Joe Bennett, expressed deep concern: "We simply do not know if my mum and Craig are safe. Craig told us that they might have to stop eating if their calls were taken away. I have not spoken to my mum for over a week now. Every day of silence makes it worse."
Media Interview and Aftermath
Telephone access ceased earlier this month following a media interview in which the couple said they felt abandoned and that channels to secure their release were closing, according to their campaign group. In February, the Foreign Office temporarily withdrew its staff from Iran due to the threat of US strikes against the country. The UK government advises against all travel to Iran, warning that British and British-Iranian nationals face a "significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention."
Official Response
A Foreign Office spokesman previously described the jail sentences as "completely appalling and totally unjustifiable," stating that the couple's welfare is a priority for the government.
Conditions in Prison
In her first interview since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, Lindsay Foreman told ITV News she could hear "the whistling noise of missiles and the hum of the drones" nearby. "People were hyperventilating, screaming. The first day you could feel it – the impact of the bombs, the rockets, the missiles," she said. Describing prison conditions, she added: "When the buildings shake, there is nowhere to go. These buildings are not designed for safety. There's no fire escape, there's no access to the outside for us. If the building collapses, that will be the end."
