The family of a British couple in custody in Iran say they are united in their determination to secure their safe return.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested in January, but news of their detention emerged on Thursday when state-run Iranian media reported they were being held on unspecified security charges.
The couple, both aged 52, had been on a motorbike trip across the world, and had planned to be in Iran for only five days.
A statement issued by the Foreign Office on their family’s behalf said: “This unexpected turn of events has caused significant concern for our entire family, and we are deeply focused on ensuring their safety and wellbeing during this trying time.”
The family described it as a “distressing situation” , stating: “We are actively engaging with the British government and relevant authorities, working diligently to navigate the complexities of this matter.”
They stated that the “emotional burden of this situation weighs heavily on us” , and that “the outpouring of support from friends, family, and the community” has “provided us with strength and encouragement as we face this ordeal” .
On their tour across the world, Mr. and Mrs. Foreman were on their way to Australia.
On December 30, they entered Iran from Armenia with the intention of arriving in Pakistan by January 4.
They continued on to Kerman, in east-central Iran, after visiting the towns of Tabriz, Tehran, and Isfahan with a tour guide, but they never checked into their
Before being arrested, the pair posted on social media about how happy they were to be in Iran.
“Having an amazing time” is how life coach Lindsay Foreman, who holds a doctorate in psychology, described her feelings.
A “lovely country” with “lovely people” is what her carpenter husband Craig described.
On January 3, Mrs. Foreman shared a photo of herself in the town of Isfahan, meeting with a cleric. “Travel continues to teach me that humanity’s core is shared: kindness, humility, and respect for one another,” she wrote on Instagram.
The next day she said on Facebook: “Despite differences in culture, language, and traditions, we’ve seen something beautifully universal: kindness, humour, hospitality – and a shared love of good food!”