Son’s Plea: “They are Mum and Dad, Not Spies” – British Couple Detained in Iran

The harrowing ordeal of a British couple, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, detained in Iran since January, has been brought to the forefront by their distraught son, Joe Bennett. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Bennett tearfully described learning of his parents’ arrest, emphasizing their innocence and his deep emotional pain from being separated for six months.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both 52, from East Sussex, embarked on what they described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” motorbike journey, intending to travel from Spain to Australia. Their adventure took a tragic turn when they entered Iran on December 31st and were subsequently arrested in January. Iranian authorities later charged them with espionage, a claim the family vehemently denies.

“I want to be crystal clear, my parents aren’t spies, they’re not political players, they aren’t criminals. They’re Mum and Dad,” Bennett stated passionately, highlighting the profound personal impact of the charges against his parents.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed they are providing consular assistance to the Foreman family and are raising the case directly with Iranian officials. However, the family expresses frustration over the slow pace of diplomatic efforts and the limited information they receive.

Bennett revealed that his last contact with his parents was on January 3rd, before their arrest. The family received a “generic letter” from his mother, and their well-being has been monitored through three welfare checks by UK embassy officials, the last occurring in May. “That’s tough when you’re used to hearing someone’s voice every day,” Bennett shared, underscoring the emotional toll of such infrequent communication.

He described his mother as “sleeping on a wafer-thin mattress,” a detail that causes immense distress to the family. Bennett added, “You always go back to how they must be feeling, that’s the one thing that gets the family the most.” The couple, known for their active lifestyle which includes participating in Parkrun, are reportedly trying to maintain their fitness by running in their confined cell, a testament to their “mental fortitude,” according to their son.

The period following the escalation of conflict between Iran and Israel in June was particularly terrifying for the family, who feared for the Foremans’ safety amidst the geopolitical turmoil. The couple was scheduled to be transferred to Tehran’s Evin Prison around the time it was reportedly bombed by Israel, and the UK simultaneously withdrew its embassy staff from the city. This confluence of events left the family feeling that their parents were “left alone, we haven’t got people who can push for their safety and wellbeing.”

Bennett urged the Foreign Office to accelerate efforts to secure his parents’ release, expressing a lack of clarity regarding the government’s strategy. “We know where we stand and what we want, it’s over to you to make this happen,” he concluded, conveying the family’s urgent plea for action.

The FCDO’s current travel advice strongly discourages all travel to Iran, citing a “significant risk” of arrest, questioning, or detention for British and dual-nationality citizens. The guidance explicitly states that face-to-face consular assistance is not available, and the UK government cannot assist those who encounter difficulties in the country.

Despite reservations about the couple’s decision to travel to Iran, Bennett emphasized that they adhered to all official procedures, obtaining the necessary visas, traveling with licensed guides, and staying in approved accommodations. “They followed every guideline in the book they could… that clearly wasn’t enough,” he lamented. Bennett believes his parents are being used as political leverage by the Iranian regime due to their UK passports.

In February, Iran’s judiciary spokesman stated that the Foremans entered the country as tourists and were gathering information. They claimed the couple was under surveillance and arrested as part of an “intelligence operation.” This case is emblematic of a broader pattern where Iran has detained numerous dual-nationality citizens, often on charges of spying or threatening national security, with at least 15 individuals having links to the UK. Human rights organizations suggest these detentions are frequently used as bargaining chips.

While the FCDO has offered “words and comfort,” the family finds the current “quiet diplomacy” approach insufficient and prolonged. They seek a clearer strategy and more decisive action from the British government to secure the Foremans’ safe return.