"Son's Emotional Plea: Parents Arrested in Iran Not Spies, But Loving Parents"

The son of Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a British couple detained in Iran since January, has expressed his disbelief and concern over their arrest and subsequent espionage charges. Joe Bennett, the couple's son, shared his feelings with BBC Breakfast, stating, "They're not spies, they're not political players, they aren't criminals. They're Mum and Dad."

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed that they are continuing to assist the family and are directly engaging with the Iranian authorities regarding the case.

Craig and Lindsay, both 52 and from East Sussex, were motorbiking from Spain to Australia when they crossed into Iran on 31 December. Bennett last spoke with his parents on 3 January prior to their arrest, learning of their detention in late January and their formal charges with spying in February.

"I didn't know what to do or where to turn," Bennett recalled. Since then, a single "generic letter" written by his mother has been circulated among friends and family, with updates on their wellbeing coming from three welfare checks by UK embassy officials - the last being in May.

Bennett described his mother's current living conditions as "sleeping on a wafer-thin mattress," which he said causes "a lot of upset." He focused on their mental fortitude, sharing that they are "running figure of eights in their cell."

The conflict between Iran and Israel in June was a particularly trying period for the family, as they were left wondering about the safety and wellbeing of their parents. The couple was set to be transferred to Tehran's notorious Evin Prison on June 8, but the war and a bombing of the prison on June 23 left them without proper support.

Bennett expressed a need for more urgent action from the Foreign Office to bring his parents home. He questioned the strategy for their release and called for a more proactive approach.

The FCDO currently advises against all travel to Iran, citing that British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning, or detention. The guidance also states that UK government support is "extremely limited" in Iran.

The family did have reservations about their decision to travel to Iran, but they followed all necessary guidelines, including obtaining the right visas, being accompanied by licensed tour guides, and staying in hotels and along main roads. However, Bennett believes they were arrested because they hold UK passports and are being used as leverage by the Iranian regime.

In recent years, Iran has arrested dozens of Iranians with dual nationality or foreign permanent residency, often on spying and national security charges. At least 15 have had links to the UK. Human rights groups claim that these individuals are held as leverage, released only when Iran receives something in return.

Bennett described the relationship with the Foreign Office as "functional" but expressed a need for a more active strategy to secure his parents' release. "We know where we stand and what we want," he said. "It's over to you to make this happen."

An FCDO spokesperson confirmed that they are continuing to raise the case directly with the Iranian authorities, providing consular assistance, and remaining in close contact with the family.