Family of Forest Row couple jailed in Iran await verdict within days

Friday, 3 October 2025 08:00

The family of a Forest Row couple being held in Iran on spying charges say they are bracing themselves for a verdict and possible sentencing within days.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both from Forest Row, were arrested while travelling the world by motorbike. The pair were detained in Iran last year and have since been accused of espionage, charges their family strongly denies.

Their son, Joe Foreman, has renewed calls for the UK government to step up efforts to secure their release, warning that time is running out.

Speaking this week, Joe said his parents had no connection whatsoever to espionage activities. He urged ministers to apply maximum pressure to bring them home safely.

The British Foreign Office has confirmed that it is monitoring the case closely, saying they are deeply concerned and are raising the matter directly with the Iranian authorities.

The case comes against a backdrop of strained relations between the UK and Iran, with a number of British nationals detained in recent years on security-related charges. Campaigners argue that such cases are often politically motivated, with dual nationals and foreign visitors caught up in wider diplomatic tensions.

For now, the family faces an anxious wait as the legal process in Iran nears a conclusion.

The Foreign Office continues to advise British nationals against all but essential travel to Iran, warning of the risk of arbitrary detention and limited consular support for those arrested.

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