A British couple has been charged with espionage after traveling to Iran as part of a round-the-world motorbike trip. Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both in their early 50s, were reportedly arrested in January while gathering information in the country. The Iranian judiciary announced the charges on Monday.
The detention comes amid escalating tensions between the UK and Iran, following recent economic sanctions imposed by the US. Amnesty International warns that espionage penalties in Iran can range from two years to the death penalty for foreign nationals.
At least 66 foreign and dual nationals have been detained by Iran since 2010, according to research by the University of Essex. The Foremans’ arrest is the latest in a growing trend of “politically motivated arrests” that Human Rights Watch has condemned.
The couple’s relatives expressed concern over their “distressing situation.” Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian dual national who was held prisoner for five years, warned that her husband Richard faced similar risks. The Foreign Office confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the Foremans and raising concerns directly with the Iranian authorities.
The UK government advises against all travel to Iran due to the risk of arrest, questioning, or detention.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/18/britons-craig-and-lindsay-foreman-detained-in-iran-charged-with-espionage