Published: 3 March 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online
The family of a British couple imprisoned in Iran has said they are “incredibly worried” about their safety amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iranian territory. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both 53 and from East Sussex, are being held in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison after being convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail on espionage charges — allegations the couple deny. The family’s fears have intensified due to the increasing instability and explosions heard across Iran after the joint military operations.
The Foremans were arrested in January 2025 while on a round‑the‑world motorcycle trip that took them through Iran. They were later charged with espionage and, after a brief trial in February 2026, sentenced to a decade behind bars. Their imprisonment has drawn strong condemnation from UK officials, with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper describing the sentence as “completely appalling and totally unjustifiable” and pledging to pursue their case with Iranian authorities in efforts to secure their release.
In a statement, the family said they managed to speak to Lindsay and Craig on Sunday morning and were relieved to hear they were physically well at that moment, but remained “incredibly worried about their safety,” particularly as explosions and retaliatory attacks continue across Iran. A family spokesperson emphasised that while the couple were unhurt at the time of the call, they were “very alert to, and concerned about, the danger around them” given the intensifying military situation in the region.
The couple’s son, Joe Bennett, has been vocal in urging the UK government to take robust diplomatic action. He and other family members have expressed concern about the conditions in Evin prison — one of Iran’s most notorious detention centres — and said they remain anxious for their parents’ welfare as the broader conflict unfolds. Bennett’s repeated appeals highlight both his family’s distress and the complex challenges British nationals face when detained abroad under contentious charges.
The UK government says it is providing full consular support to the Foremans and continues to press Tehran for assurances about their treatment and ultimate release. Officials are also mindful of broader risks faced by other British and dual nationals in Iran, especially amid heightened geopolitical tensions and military activity.


























































































