Couple held in Iran allowed to meet with UK officials for first time in over a hundred days
The family of Craig and Lindsay Foreman say it's reassuring, but that more needs to be done to guarantee their return
Last updated 9th Oct 2026
A Sussex couple who were charged with espionage in Iran have been allowed to see British officials for the first time in over a hundred days.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who deny the charges, have previously been on hingers trike as part of their campaign for freedom.
Lindsay's son Joe Bennett said that the news that the couple were seemingly in good condition and regaining weight was reassuring, but that there was still a lot to be done to improve their situation:
"As a family, we always welcome them being seen. They've been seen for the first time since their hunger strike. The reports on that was that they looked slim, but are physically well and appeared to be in better spirits than the last visit.
"So, you know, you naturally as a family, you're relieved to hear that.
"But I'm also very careful about allowing that they looked well and they seem in better spirits to become that they're 'fine'. They're still separated from us as a family. And they have to deal with a lot of uncertainty every day.
"The trouble is, on the back of that, you get assurances and promises that just aren't delivered on. So it's a very, very tough one to sort of get your head round really.
"The most important thing is their health and wellbeing, but that is only a part of the whole thing that we're trying to do, which is get them home."
He added that the family were also promised a phone call with the couple this week, and that it hadn't ended up going forward:
"The reality is that they were promised a call with the family Wednesday. And that didn't come, so...
"You go, 'yes, brilliant, they've been seen. Okay, they're promised to call. Let's hope that comes' and it doesn't. You develop thick skin.
"I prepare myself to hear my mum's voice for the first time. I've only spoken to her for 15 minutes in the last five months.
"But when that window disappears, I've got no idea when the next one will come. I hope it will be next week, but history suggests that that's definitely not guaranteed."
Going forward the family of the Foremans hope to meet with the Foreign Secretary later this month, with the goal of progressing the couple's case back to the UK.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office have been asked for comment.