The family of a British couple detained in Iran say they are being used as “human shields” amid escalating regional tensions, as explosions have reportedly rocked the area surrounding Tehran’s Evin prison. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, have been held in the notorious prison for over 14 months, serving a 10-year sentence on espionage charges they vehemently deny.
The couple were arrested in January 2025 while on a round-the-world motorcycle tour, having entered Iran from Armenia on December 30th with valid visas and an approved itinerary. Despite advice from the UK Foreign Office against travel to Iran, they proceeded with their journey, believing, according to Lindsay Foreman’s friend Naomi Connell, that they would experience no issues given the thousands of other tourists who had entered and exited the country without incident at the time.
Speaking emotionally about her hopes for release, Lindsay Foreman described being “captured at gunpoint and held in solitary confinement” as the turning point of what was intended to be a “trip of a lifetime.” She expressed the profound difficulty of being separated from her family, stating, “Knowing they’re out there and not being able to hug them – that’s the hardest thing. Thank you for not forgetting us. I just can’t wait to come home.”
Recent concerns for the couple’s wellbeing intensified following reports of explosions near Evin prison, a facility known for holding political prisoners and those with dual nationalities. Relatives have stated that Lindsay and Craig heard “lots of explosions” and that the blasts were strong enough to cause damage to the prison itself. Reports also suggest that guards temporarily abandoned their posts, fearing potential involvement in a wider conflict.
Joe Bennett, the couple’s son, described his parents’ living conditions as harsh, citing the presence of “rats and cockroaches,” sleeping on metal bunks without mattresses, and enduring “constant physical pain.” He further stated they are living under the constant noise of drones, describing it as a “drone of drones” and a “maddening buzz.” Bennett has publicly appealed to both UK and US officials to prioritize securing his parents’ release.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has previously labelled the couple’s sentencing as “totally unjustifiable” and pledged the government’s commitment to “pursue this case relentlessly” until their safe return. However, Joe Bennett claimed that a recent meeting with Cooper yielded only “delay and uncertainty.”
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office stated in an emailed statement that the welfare of British nationals detained in Iran remains a priority, “for this government and continued to be during the current situation in the Middle East.”
The situation remains unresolved, with no immediate plans for the couple’s release announced as of today.
