Family handout courtesy of BBC

 

A British couple detained in Iran have initiated a hunger strike, their son revealed, in a desperate attempt to seek help. Craig and Lindsay Foreman, arrested during their motorbike tour in January, face espionage charges dismissed as "ludicrous" by Lindsay's son, Joe Bennett. The couple, now in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison, have yet to be tried or convicted.

 

The Foremans were detained despite entering Iran with valid visas, a guide, and an approved itinerary. Lindsay's discussions on philosophical topics reportedly triggered concerns, leading to accusations of attempting to incite regime change. Joe Bennett describes his mother’s hunger strike as her sole form of resistance, feeling abandoned by both the British and Iranian authorities.

 

The couple, in their 50s, have faced severe communication restrictions, with their first phone calls only in August. Joe Bennett has managed limited conversations with his mother, who expressed a deep sense of frustration. He met UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to press for more proactive measures in securing their release, urging the UK to clarify the couple’s innocence, reported the BBC.

 

The UK advises against travelling to Iran due to the "significant risk" of arrest, emphasising that a British connection may provoke detainment. Despite this, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office claims ongoing efforts to assist the Foremans through diplomatic channels. Another consular visit is planned, yet their future remains uncertain.

 

Bennett relayed the emotional weight of his mother's situation in their brief phone calls, where she voiced her fear and longing for help, saying her strength was waning. The family continues to advocate for clarity on the couple’s non-involvement in any espionage activities, hoping to dispel any false accusations and secure their freedom.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Craig and Lindsay Foreman arrested in Iran are on hunger strike.
• The couple, accused of espionage, have not been officially tried.
• UK government engaged but family demands more decisive action.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-11-13

 

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A British couple detained in Iran have initiated a hunger strike, their son revealed, in a desperate attempt to seek help. Craig and Lindsay Foreman, arrested during their motorbike tour in January,

 

I hope they have budgeted for skinny clothes if they ever get out.

 

From above:  The UK advises against travelling to Iran due to the "significant risk" of arrest, emphasising that a British connection may provoke detainment. 

 

That seems a rather clear and unambiguous warning.

British Couple Held in Iran Begin Hunger Strike for Freedom 

 

I don't think that they are very smart to go on a hunger strike .

If the Iranians don't care about them going on the strike they might die there.

FOREIGN OFFICE
     ADVISES AGAINST ALL TRAVEL
    AFGHANISTAN – “The security situation is volatile”
    BELARUS – “You face a significant risk of arrest”
    BURKINA FASO – “Due to the threat of terrorist attacks and terrorist kidnap”
    HAITI – “Due to the volatile security situation”
    IRAN – “BRITISH NATIONALS ARE AT SIGNIFICANT RISK OF ARREST”
    RUSSIA – “Due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine”
    SOUTH SUDAN – “Due to the risk of armed violence and criminality”
    SYRIA – “Ongoing conflict and unpredictable security conditions”
    YEMEN – “Unpredictable security conditions”

 

     ADVISES AGAINST ALL TRAVEL TO PARTS
     (partial list)
    MYANMAR (BURMA) – Chin State, Kachin State, Kayah State, Kayin State, Mon State, Rakhine State, Sagaing and Magway regions, Tanintharyi Region, Shan State North, North Mandalay Region
    PHILIPPINES – Western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago

 

     ADVISES AGAINST ALL BUT ESSENTIAL TRAVEL
    With regard to the definition of ‘essential travel’, the
    FCDO says: “Whether travel is essential or not is your own
    decision. You may have urgent family or business commitments
    which you need to attend to. Only you can make an informed
    decision based on your own individual circumstances and the
    risks.”
    NORTH KOREA – “The security situation can change quickly with no advance warning”

 

      ADVISES AGAINST ALL BUT ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO PARTS
     (partial list)
    BANGLADESH – Chittagong Hill Tracts
    CAMBODIA – within 50km from the border with Thailand
    LAOS – Xaisomboun Province
    MALAYSIA – Eastern Sabah coastal islands
    THAILAND –parts of the south, near the Thailand-Malaysia border, the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line and within 50km of the whole border with Cambodia

 

The Iranian 'Government' hate the 'West', they hate Americans and British,  The Iranian regime’s hostility toward Britain and the United States is rooted in a long, documented history of perceived betrayal, interference, and humiliation, which the Islamic Republic has woven into its core revolutionary identity since 1979. It’s not abstract ideology—it’s specific grievances that are taught in schools, repeated in Friday sermons, and broadcast nightly on state TV.

 

Fortunately the regular people in the street don't believe it!

On 11/13/2025 at 9:46 AM, impulse said:

 

I hope they have budgeted for skinny clothes if they ever get out.

 

From above:  The UK advises against travelling to Iran due to the "significant risk" of arrest, emphasising that a British connection may provoke detainment. 

 

That seems a rather clear and unambiguous warning.

stupid remark  

1 minute ago, mikecha said:

On 11/13/2025 at 10:46 AM, impulse said:

I hope they have budgeted for skinny clothes if they ever get out.

 

From above:  The UK advises against travelling to Iran due to the "significant risk" of arrest, emphasising that a British connection may provoke detainment. 

 

That seems a rather clear and unambiguous warning.

stupid remark  

 

Not nearly as stupid as ignoring the very clear warning not to travel to Iran for a holiday.  Then staging a hunger strike when it goes tits up. 

 

That'll bring the Mullahs to their knees.

 

The saddest thing is that it'll cost the British taxpayers a wad of money, quietly and in the background.  To save them from their own stupidity.

 

 

10 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Not nearly as stupid as ignoring the very clear warning not to travel to Iran for a holiday.  Then staging a hunger strike when it goes tits up. 

 

That'll bring the Mullahs to their knees.

 

The saddest thing is that it'll cost the British taxpayers a wad of money, quietly and in the background.  To save them from their own stupidity.

 

 

Well said,

 

Ya can put up warnings, unfortunately some think they have a duty to ignore the signs.

 

"Stupid is as stupid does". 

If they get released where will the go next. Afghanistan or North Korea.

5 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

it’s specific grievances that are taught in schools, repeated in Friday sermons, and broadcast nightly on state TV.

 

Fortunately the regular people in the street don't believe it!

 

Grievances like democratically-elected PM Mossadegh overthrown by CIA-MI6 in Operation Ajax in 1953 because he refused to give British companies the run of Iranian oilfields, like Iran Air Flight 655 from Teheran to Dubai shot down in 1988 by a missile fired from a US warship killing 290 civilians, ...

 

Yea, the people believe it.

1 hour ago, Autocan said:

 

Grievances like democratically-elected PM Mossadegh overthrown by CIA-MI6 in Operation Ajax in 1953 because he refused to give British companies the run of Iranian oilfields, like Iran Air Flight 655 from Teheran to Dubai shot down in 1988 by a missile fired from a US warship killing 290 civilians, ...

 

Yea, the people believe it.

Clearly you didn't read my post.

The 2 events you mention are both true, i would agree with you, but that is not what I was saying!'

My post clearly mention 1979 re, the hostage crisis.

The hostage crisis was real of course, just like the previous 2 events.

 

The regime exaggerates (claiming the U.S. wanted to “genocide” Iran), omits (never mentioning Khomeini’s brutality, the hostage-takers’ torture, or Iran’s role in global terrorism), and weaponizes these truths to blame every domestic failure — from inflation to blackouts — on “American arrogance.” This narrative is forced into schools (textbooks call America the “Great Satan”), chanted in Friday prayers (mandatory “Death to America”), and broadcast nightly on state TV (IRIB’s “Crimes of the West” segments)

 

I have been to where the American Embassy used to be and they have actually scrawled on  the walls...DEATH TO AMERICA!

 

I worked in Tehran for 2 years from 2010-2012, the Iranian people i worked with, men and women  would ask about what really happened. When I explained to them they were shocked!.

 

Sadly they do get 'brainwashed' but of course the internet is available there and that has changed things!

 

 

 

 

 

33 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Sadly they do get 'brainwashed' but of course the internet is available there and that has changed things!

You are right but about the wrong country. American eyes are indeed opening to how we have served Israel for decades as their armed thugs in the ME. Iran has sadly been a particular target. 

 

And apparently there's a major war planned by the US against Israel, only question is before or after Venezuela. I can't figure out for the life of me why Iran isn't building nuclear bombs, exploding one in the Lut Desert and putting the mushroom cloud on Instagram.

 

Last week Trump was in South Korea begging to be invited up north by Kim. Someone needs to tell Khamenei the bomb may be haram but it's the kind of haram that keeps you alive.

2 hours ago, Autocan said:

And apparently there's a major war planned by the US against Israel

Rereading I noticed I guess a Freudian slip. What I wouldn't give for this to happen.

 

Sadly it should read "US against Iran".

On 11/12/2025 at 4:32 PM, webfact said:

Lindsay's discussions on philosophical topics reportedly triggered concerns, leading to accusations of attempting to incite regime change.

So this seems to be the crux of their incarceration.  She was discussing this while in Iran? Perhaps has some history of this online, in public or whatever?  Generally not a good idea to do anything along those lines in any country

 can not find much on their history and background.  He was a life coach?  They apparently were briefed and informed it is a dangerous area to travel to, they said they were aware of the risks, but went anyway.  

The next country on their list after Iran is North Korea.

9 hours ago, Anthony mellows said:

If they get released where will the go next. Afghanistan or North Korea.

Both. 

Mama said life's like a box of chocolates. 

12 hours ago, Autocan said:

You are right but about the wrong country. American eyes are indeed opening to how we have served Israel for decades as their armed thugs in the ME. Iran has sadly been a particular target. 

 

And apparently theDefelectionre's a major war planned by the US against Israel, only question is before or after Venezuela. I can't figure out for the life of me why Iran isn't building nuclear bombs, exploding one in the Lut Desert and putting the mushroom cloud on Instagram.

 

Last week Trump was in South Korea begging to be invited up north by Kim. Someone needs to tell Khamenei the bomb may be haram but it's the kind of haram that keeps you alive.

Deflection, do try and stay on point! This thread is NOT about Israel! 

On 11/13/2025 at 4:32 AM, webfact said:

A British couple detained in Iran have initiated a hunger strike

I doubt they have much choice in the matter so cutting off their nose to spite their face. I doubt they were getting a choice of starter, main and desert in the first place. 

 

They've booked a week in the Gaza Strip for their next holiday. They think it's a Geordie ex Newcastle/England footballer taking his clothes off and pole dancing. Idiots.