British Couple Jailed in Iran Prison Say They Feel 'Let Down' and Urges Starmer To 'Step Up And Help Us'

A British couple detained in Tehran have described feeling abandoned by the UK government as they serve ten-year prison sentences in Iran's notorious Evin Prison.

Sky News reported that Craig and Lindsay Foreman, from East Sussex, were arrested in January 2025 while travelling through Iran on a motorcycle trip and maintain they are innocent of the spying charges against them.

Speaking from the prison, the couple said they feel 'let down, alone and completely frustrated' by how their case is being handled. Craig Foreman told the media: 'We were charged based on falsified evidence that was fabricated to suit the maximum sentence. Our government are fully aware of this information and know we are 100% innocent.'

Detention in a War Zone Adds Urgency

The Foremans' imprisonment comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with the prison situated in what they describe as a 'life-threatening situation.'

Craig Foreman explained, 'We are now in a prison in a war zone. We have gone from a challenging situation to a life-threatening situation. You have chosen to give us zero information on what's happening to us, what to do and where to go if the prison doors were to open. There is a serious lack of commitment for our safety.'

Family members have also voiced concern about the deteriorating conditions inside Evin Prison. Joe Bennett, the couple's son, said: 'My mum is in pieces. She's gone from always finding the positive to feeling completely lost. They are being held in appalling conditions.'

Joe stated that the pair were sleeping on metal bunks without mattresses, both 'in constant pain.' Craig is reportedly in agony with an 'untreated dental abscess.'

'They have nowhere to turn. This isn't just detention, it's slow-motion destruction,' Joe said.

Plea to UK Leadership

The Foremans have called directly on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to make a public defence of their innocence.

Craig Foreman said, 'Go public with the information — you have to clearly step up, step out of the shadows and help us. Our lives are constantly at risk.'

He emphasised their pride in being British but expressed frustration at the lack of official support. Craig said they remain 'proud' to be British, 'but by now we feel let down, alone, and completely frustrated by the lack of public defence by the people in charge of the government.'

As a plea to Starmer, Craig reiterated, 'We are not spies. The charges against us are simply not true.'

Official Response and Travel Warnings

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) reiterated that the welfare of British nationals detained abroad is a priority.

A spokesperson said: 'Craig and Lindsay's sentences are completely appalling and totally unjustifiable. We will continue to pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian regime until we see Craig and Lindsay safely returned to the UK and reunited with their family. We will continue to provide consular assistance to the couple and their families.'

Britons have been repeatedly warned not to travel to Iran due to a 'significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention,' a warning that shows how serious the ongoing danger faced by British citizens in the country.

Conditions Inside Evin Prison

Reports from the family suggest that access to basic necessities and medical care in Evin Prison is severely limited. The couple says that explosions near the prison have sent shockwaves through the building, breaking windows and forcing prisoners to seek cover as debris fell around them.

The circumstances, combined with the harsh prison environment, have amplified concerns for the couple's physical and mental well-being.

Despite the FCDO's assurances, the Foremans' public statements underline a deep sense of vulnerability. Lindsay and Craig Foreman's plea is both urgent and personal: they want the UK government to publicly recognise their innocence and take active steps to secure their release, emphasising that they are not involved in the spying allegations.

For the Foremans, the struggle is not only for freedom but also for recognition and safety in what they describe as 'a life-threatening situation' in Tehran as US-Israel strikes escalate to a higher degree.