British couple detained in Iran stage hunger strike, son reveals

A British couple imprisoned in Iran following allegations of espionage have initiated a hunger strike as a "call for assistance," ...

A British couple imprisoned in Iran following allegations of espionage have initiated a hunger strike as a "call for assistance," according to their son, who shared this information with okay1.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman were in the middle of a global motorcycle journey when they were detained by Iranian officials in January.

Joe Bennett, the son of Lindsay, called the accusations against them "absurd." He mentioned that his mother had told him, "not eating was the only power she has," during the seven-and-a-half minute phone call she was allowed on Tuesday.

"She mentioned she felt abandoned and disappointed by the government here as well as the officials in Iran," he added. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) has been contacted for a response.

The Foremans' family claim they entered Iran with proper visas, a certified guide, and an approved schedule - as the regulations require.

Lindsay Foreman had been inquiring with individuals along the path about the significance of leading a fulfilling life.

It seems this is the reason for their arrest by Iranian officials.

She has been charged with posing inquiries that might lead to a shift in leadership, Mr. Bennett stated.

The pair has attended court multiple times but has not yet faced a formal trial - or received a conviction. Both are currently incarcerated in the well-known Evin Prison in Tehran.

Mr. Bennett met with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper last month to address the matter.

The British government recommends avoiding all travel to Iran due to a "substantial risk" of being arrested, and mentions that holding a British passport or having ties to the UK "may be sufficient grounds for the Iranian authorities to hold you."

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office had previously stated it "kept bringing up the case of Mr. and Mrs. Foreman directly with Iranian officials" and was offering them consular support.

Mr. Bennett has managed to communicate with his mother just three times since she was taken into custody.

The pair, both in their fifties, were finally permitted their initial phone calls home in August, following several months without any direct communication.

Mr. Bennett mentioned that he wasn't certain whether the hunger strike had helped obtain the phone call, or when it had begun.

"She was weeping, and I had to make an effort not to cry during the call because I wanted to remain strong for her and transmit that strength," he added.

He mentioned that his mother was "typically a very optimistic individual" and this was the first time he had ever heard his mother expressing distress.

Optimism can't endure forever in the face of reality," he remarked. "It's simply a call for assistance.

The Foremans were first detained in the city of Kerman and remained in isolation for 30 days before being permitted to occupy a shared cell.

They are currently held in individual cells at Iran's Evin prison, the same facility where British-Iranian activist Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained prior to her release in 2022. She has also undertaken hunger strikes on multiple occasions.

The Foremans had supposedly been assured they would be allowed to meet each other last Sunday, but the visit failed to happen.

The last time they saw each other was during a visit from the British embassy six weeks ago, Mr. Bennett stated. A further consular visit is scheduled for Sunday.

He urged the UK to take further action to ensure their release and explicitly mentioned that the couple were not engaged in espionage on behalf of the British government.

They were enjoying their visit to Iran," he stated. "They couldn't have praised the country any more... they were calling it a beautiful nation.

He added, 'The accusations against them are utterly ridiculous.'

Mr. Bennett mentioned that his conversation with his mother concluded suddenly. He is unsure when he will receive news from her once more.

Her final words to him were: "I love you very much and I long for you," he stated.

And I told her the same thing - 'I love you so very much'. That's when I began to cry, I could no longer keep myself composed.

Further reporting by Ruth Comerford.

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