British couple detained in Iran are named

The family of Britons Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who have been detained in Iran, said they are “united in our determination to secure their safe return”, in a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

The couple, in their early 50s, were reportedly on a trip across the world on motorbikes and had been due to end their journey in Australia.

They were arrested in January and detained on unspecified security-related charges, and have been pictured meeting the British ambassador Hugo Shorter at the public prosecutor’s office in Kerman.

In a statement, their family said: “We would like to take this opportunity to address the distressing situation concerning Craig and Lindsay Foreman who are currently being detained 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.

“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.

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“We truly appreciate the outpouring of support from friends, family, and the community, which has provided us with strength and encouragement as we face this ordeal.”

They added: “Thank you for your understanding, compassion, and continued support.”

The BBC reported that the couple had crossed into Iran from Armenia on 30 December and had planned to be in Pakistan on 4 January.

After visiting the cities of Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan while sharing their journey on social media, they had been due to arrive in Kerman but failed to check into their hotel.

Mrs Foreman was said to be carrying out a research project as part of the journey, asking people what constitutes a “good life”.

She was due to present her findings at a conference on positive psychology in Brisbane in July, the BBC reported.

Posting on Facebook, Mrs Foreman acknowledged that travelling to the Iran, against Foreign Office advice, and to Pakistan was risky and “slightly scary”.

She wrote: “Despite the advice of friends, family, and the FCDO (which strongly advises against travel to Iran for British nationals), we’ve chosen to keep moving forward.

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“Why? 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.”

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.”

With regards to travelling to Iran, their website says: “British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention,” advice says. “Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.”

This is a breaking story… more to follow.