British Woman in Iran ‘Losing Hope’ Amid Ongoing Detention

Published: 28 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A British woman detained in Iran has told her family she is “losing hope” as her ordeal drags on, following a court appearance that reportedly went badly. Lindsay Foreman, from East Sussex, has been imprisoned in Iran since January alongside her husband, Craig Foreman, both accused of espionage—charges they firmly deny.

Her son, Joe Bennett, said that he spoke to his mother last Thursday during only the second phone call they have been allowed since her arrest. The 20-minute conversation was arranged by the couple’s lawyer, offering a rare chance for contact between the family and Ms Foreman. “There was very little my mother could say,” Bennett told reporters. “Her spirits were low.”

Mr. Bennett said his mother had seemed particularly disheartened after a recent court appearance a week earlier, which, according to him, “had not gone well.” Friends and relatives of the detained couple had initially believed that the court session would deliver a verdict, but were instead informed that the process would drag on further.

The couple were detained in January while on a global motorcycle tour. Iranian authorities alleged that they were involved in espionage activities—a claim the family strongly rejects. “My parents are innocent people caught between two governments,” Bennett said, describing the situation as a “diplomatic stalemate” that has left the couple stranded.

According to family sources, the UK government’s response so far has been minimal. Following a recent meeting with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, the family said they were left frustrated by the lack of progress. “We were told to wait for more information before any next steps are taken,” Bennett said, calling the response “deeply concerning.” He continued, “The British are waiting for a sentence before acting, the Iranians are deciding what sentence to hand down. And in the middle of all this are my parents, trapped and suffering.”

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not provided an update on the case but reiterated its advice against all travel to Iran due to “a significant risk of arbitrary arrest and detention.” The FCDO warns that even minimal connections to the UK, such as dual nationality or residency, can be “reason enough” for the Iranian authorities to detain individuals.

Ms. Foreman’s family and supporters have voiced concerns over her worsening conditions. She was recently transferred to a new prison facility—an initial move that was viewed as positive but soon raised fears for her safety and well-being. “She’s now isolated among non-English-speaking inmates,” a supporter said. “We had hoped this meant an improvement, but it’s left her feeling more alone than ever.”

Meanwhile, reports from inside Iran suggest that Mr Foreman’s health is deteriorating. He is said to be suffering from untreated dental problems and other ailments exacerbated by poor prison conditions. Human rights advocates have called on the UK government to intervene more forcefully, warning that delays could have “irreversible humanitarian consequences.”

Joe Bennett, who lives in Folkestone, Kent, has been leading a campaign for his parents’ release, urging British diplomats to take firmer action. “The diplomatic waiting game isn’t working,” he said. “We cannot carry on like this. My parents have already spent nearly a year behind bars for a crime they didn’t commit. The horizon for their freedom feels hard to see, but with public support, I still believe we can get there.”

The case has drawn parallels to previous incidents of British nationals detained in Iran, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, whose imprisonments became symbols of Tehran’s fraught relations with the West. Analysts have noted that dual nationals or those with Western ties are often detained as leverage in diplomatic negotiations or as a show of defiance against Western governments.

Human rights organizations continue to press both governments to find a resolution. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly called on Iran to release detainees accused under politically motivated charges and have urged the UK to prioritize the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad.

For Bennett and his family, however, every day of waiting brings renewed anguish. “We’re clinging to hope, but it’s fading,” he said. “My mother’s voice on the phone sounded tired and defeated. It’s unbearable to know she’s still there, alone, and we can’t help her. We need action—not just words—from our government.”

As diplomatic talks stall and the Foremans remain behind bars, campaigners are calling for greater public attention to the case. They fear that, without sustained pressure, the couple could languish in detention indefinitely, trapped in a system where political strategy outweighs human compassion.