3 days ago
10
A British couple who have been detained in Iran have been named by their family as Craig and Lindsay Foreman.
The family spoke of their concern at the “distressing situation” facing the Foremans, who are being held in Kerman, Iran.
“This unexpected turn of events has caused significant concern for our entire family, and we are deeply focused on ensuring their safety and well-being during this trying time,” they said in a statement.
“We are actively engaging with the British government and relevant authorities, working diligently to navigate the complexities of this matter. The family are united in our determination to secure their safe return.”
The two British nationals were arrested in Iran over security allegations, according to Iranian state media. Earlier this week state media published photographs purportedly showing the UK ambassador, Hugo Shorter, meeting the couple, who the country has called “national security” suspects.
The published photo shows that a meeting on Wednesday was held in the presence of the Kerman prosecutor, Mehdi Bakhshi, and Kerman governor’s deputy for security and law enforcement, Rahman Jalal.
In a statement issued via the UK Foreign Office, the family asked for privacy, saying “the emotional burden of this situation weighs heavily on us … Thank you for your understanding, compassion, and continued support”.
A Foreign Office spokesperson earlier said: “We are providing consular assistance to two British nationals detained in Iran and are in contact with the local authorities.”
The couple were heading for Australia, having crossed into Iran from Armenia on 30 December, according to social media posts. Lindsay Foreman was carrying out a research project as part of the journey, asking people what constitutes a good life.
The couple had shared a number of updates from Iran, and had been planning to enter Pakistan next. “To put your minds at rest, we are having the most amazing time in Iran,” they posted on Facebook on 3 January.
The UK and other European powers are under pressure from Tehran to distance themselves from the recent economic sanctions reimposed on Iran.
Iran secured the Italian release of an Iranian exporter, Mohammad Abedini, wanted by the US for allegedly supplying goods used in a drone attack on US soldiers in Jordan. Abedini had been apprehended in Milan on a US warrant. Three days later it arrested the Italian reporter Cecilia Sala in Tehran, who was in the country on a journalist’s visa.
After Sala had spent three weeks in an Iranian jail, the government of Giorgia Meloni released Abedini, leading to Sala’s release.
