Reports suggest that the British tourists currently detained in Iran may have been apprehended solely due to their nationality.
On December 30, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a couple in their early 50s, embarked on a journey crossing into Iran from Armenia, expressing their trust in encountering compassionate individuals worldwide.
Upon entering Iran, the Foremans visited Tabriz, Tehran, and Isfahan before disappearing en route to their booked accommodation in Kerman.
The news of their custody was released by the country’s authorities who also published an image of the couple – with their faces blurred – meeting Hugo Shorter, the British ambassador.
But an Iranian government source told The Telegraph that the couple were arrested simply for being British, and are being used as bargaining chips to secure concessions from the UK.
The source told the newspaper: ‘They weren’t arrested for committing a crime – they’re British citizens, and that alone is enough to justify their detention and then phone England and ask for something.
‘They likely took photos of something, which has been used as a pretext for their arrest, and now they [the authorities] are trying to get something from England in exchange for their release. We don’t know exactly what’s happening, but demands may have already been made to England for their release.
‘You don’t need to commit a crime – holding a European passport makes you a target here. If you have blue eyes and blonde hair, Iran is not safe for you, whether you’re a tourist or travelling for business.’
Craig and Lindsay Foreman (both pictured) said they were putting their faith in there being ‘good, kind humans’ everywhere in the world as they entered Iran
An Iranian government source told The Telegraph that the couple were arrested simply for being British
Craig and Lindsay ignored pleas from their friends, family and the Foreign Office not to visit the nation
Since their arrest, the government has faced increasing pressure to secure their release.
Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of former hostage of Iran Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, said that the government ought to ‘respond more promptly.’
‘My heart goes out to them, and I hope they are not in for a long ordeal, and that the government is able to respond more promptly than it did in our case.
‘I do think the risks would be a lot clearer to people if the UK travel advice to Iran talked about the risks of hostage-taking. People would be more alert to the fact that it is not personal, and it doesn’t matter whether you have travelled there with a good heart.’
It comes as it was revealed that Craig and Lindsay ignored pleas from their friends, family and the Foreign Office not to visit the nation before embarking on a motorbike journey across its entire length.
Foreign Office guidance advises against all travel to Iran, where they say travellers could be arrested just for ‘having a British passport or connections to the UK’. They were arrested in January on unspecified security charges.
But in one of their last posts before their capture, they wrote that they were choosing to look past this advice because: ‘We believe that, no matter where you are in the world, most people are good, kind humans striving for a meaningful life.
‘Yes, we’re aware of the risks. But we also know the rewards of meeting incredible people, hearing their stories, and seeing the breathtaking landscapes of these regions could far outweigh the fear.
Foreign Office guidance advises against all travel to Iran, where they say British nationals face the threat of arrest
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, in their early 50s, were arrested in January on unspecified security charges
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who are in their early 50s, said they were putting their faith in there being ‘good, kind humans’ everywhere in the world as they entered the country from Armenia on December 30
‘From the vast deserts of Iran to the towering peaks of Pakistan, we hope to share the beauty, hospitality, and humanity that often go unnoticed.’
The couple had previously found fame on the Channel 4 show ‘A New Life in the Sun’, documenting their move from Sussex to a ‘breathtaking’ three-bedroom villa in the Andalusia region of Spain. They said they wanted to ‘really take advantage of the cheaper cost of living, the wonderful weather, lifestyle and more relaxed pace of life’.
In a post on January 3, after they had crossed into Iran, Dr Foreman posted a photo of herself with a religious leader, both holding their hands over their hearts.
Capturing the poignant scene, she said: ‘Travel continues to teach me that humanity’s core is shared: kindness, humility, and respect for one another. Sometimes, it’s the quietest moments that leave the loudest impressions.’
In another from the same day, she posted a photo of herself laughing with locals, and praising the ‘one human family’ she had found in her travels.
She added: ‘Travel has a way of reminding you of what really matters. On this journey around the world, we’ve felt a deep sense of connection—and nowhere more so than here in Iran.
‘This journey has taught me that when we strip away our differences, what remains is simple and powerful – our shared humanity. And when we choose to shine, together we can truly light up the world.
‘Let’s focus on what unites us, celebrate each other’s truths, and embrace the beauty of connection.’
