Concern over welfare of Sussex couple held in Iran after contact is lost
Family of Lindsay and Craig Foreman say they have had no communication for over a week and fear for their safety in Evin Prison
The family of British nationals, Lindsay Foreman and Craig Foreman, say they are deeply worried after losing all contact with the couple, who are being held in Iran’s Evin Prison.
According to the family, phone access , their only reliable way of communicating, was cut off in early May following media interviews the couple gave. They say they have not heard from them for more than a week and do not know their current condition.
The family also report concerns that the couple may have been placed in solitary confinement and prevented from seeing each other.
Before contact was lost, Craig Foreman reportedly warned that they could begin a hunger strike if phone calls were stopped. Their family says they have received no confirmation of what has happened since.
“We don’t know what is happening to them”
Joe Bennett, the son of Lindsay Foreman, said:
"We simply do not know if my mum and Craig are safe. Craig told us that they might have to stop eating if their calls were taken away.
"I have not spoken to my mum for over a week now. Every day of silence makes it worse. We don’t know what is happening to them and we are terrified for them."
He added that previous assurances about contact and conditions had been broken, increasing the family’s concern.
The family say tensions escalated after a call between Lindsay Foreman and the UK ambassador to Iran, Hugo Shorter, which they describe as deeply discouraging. They claim they were told there was no clear route to securing the couple’s release.
They also point to comments from UK officials, including Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer, who previously described the couple as “innocent tourists” in Parliament.
The family argue that if the government accepts they are innocent, then stronger action should follow.
Arrest, trial, and sentencing in Iran
The couple were arrested in January 2025 while travelling through Iran on a global motorcycle journey. They entered legally with visas and an approved itinerary, according to their family.
They were later accused of espionage and sentenced in early 2026 to ten years in prison by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, a figure sanctioned by the UK, US, and EU over concerns about unfair trials and human rights abuses. The family say the court process was extremely brief and did not allow a meaningful defence.
UK political response and pressure
The case has drawn attention in Westminster. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have been urged to take further action by MPs and peers.
A cross-party group of 93 MPs and members of the House of Lords, including Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Tony Vaughan, have reportedly written to the government calling for urgent steps to secure the couple’s release.
The Foremans were travelling as part of a motorcycle journey across multiple countries when they were detained. Their family say they believed they were travelling safely and legally through Iran.
Since their arrest, they have reportedly experienced periods of solitary confinement, limited contact with family, and repeated disruptions to consular visits and communication.
Evin Prison, where they are held, has been widely criticised by human rights organisations for overcrowding and poor conditions, including limited access to food, medical care, and sanitation.
Family call for urgent action
- urgently request a welfare check on the couple
- restore phone contact and ensure they can see each other
- set out a clear strategy for securing their release
They say that if the government maintains the position that the couple are innocent, then it must also take urgent steps to bring them home safely.