British couple on round-the-world motorcycle journey detained in Iran

[Cherie]

A British husband and wife on a motorcycle journey around the world have been detained in Iran.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman were reportedly detained in January but the country’s state-run media revealed this week they had been accused of security-related offences.

Their family said the situation was causing “significant concern”.

he couple were ultimately heading for Australia, having crossed into Iran from Armenia on December 30, according to social media posts.

Mrs Foreman was said to be carrying out a research project as part of the journey, asking people what constitutes a “good life”.

She was due to present her findings at a conference on positive psychology in Brisbane in July, the BBC reported.

Yes, we're aware of the risks. But we also know the rewards of meeting incredible people, hearing their stories, and seeing the breathtaking landscapes of these regions could far outweigh the fear

Instagram post from Lindsay Foreman
The couple had shared regular social media updates from the Middle Eastern country.

“To put your minds at rest, we are having the most amazing time in Iran,” they posted on Facebook on January 3.

Posting on Instagram, Mrs Foreman acknowledged that travelling to the Iran, against Foreign Office advice, was “slightly scary”.

“Yes, we’re aware of the risks. But we also know the rewards of meeting incredible people, hearing their stories, and seeing the breathtaking landscapes of these regions could far outweigh the fear.”

“From the vast deserts of Iran to the towering peaks of Pakistan, we hope to share the beauty, hospitality, and humanity that often go unnoticed.”

This unexpected turn of events has caused significant concern for our entire family, and we are deeply focused on ensuring their safety and well-being during this trying time


The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran.

“Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you,” the guidance says.


:facepalm: what on earth, and now they will expect people to move heaven and earth to get them out....the entitlement

[arista]

Terrible
bad luck

[arista]

[Couple were ultimately heading for Australia, having crossed into Iran from Armenia on December 30, according to social media posts.]

So long as it is legal to enter Iran
should be fine,

But if not
they need to learn rules

[Cherie]

[Couple were ultimately heading for Australia, having crossed into Iran from Armenia on December 30, according to social media posts.]

So long as it is legal to enter Iran
should be fine,

But if not
they need to learn rules

They went against official Foreign Office advice thinking they knew better, if the Iranians think they are spies they could be held for years

[Crimson Dynamo]

I mean how stupid can you be?

[MTVN]

Might be stupid but we'd have never got anywhere in history if everyone had stayed well clear of dangerous areas

Respect the modern day explorers

[thesheriff443]

Might be stupid but we'd have never got anywhere in history if everyone had stayed well clear of dangerous areas

Respect the modern day explorers

They should of had you in a side car

Stupid choices for stupid people

[MTVN]

They should of had you in a side car

Stupid choices for stupid people

Would you say the same to Dr Livingstone?

[Crimson Dynamo]

Might be stupid but we'd have never got anywhere in history if everyone had stayed well clear of dangerous areas

Respect the modern day explorers

They are not explorers they are "look at us" tourists

[MTVN]

They are not explorers they are "look at us" tourists

Much can be discovered through tourism

You are lacking an adventurous spirit!

[Crimson Dynamo]

Much can be discovered through tourism

You are lacking an adventurous spirit!

yeah, they discovered Iran is a sh1thole lawless state

[thesheriff443]

Would you say the same to Dr Livingstone?

Yes if he went to country knowing that they hate the west

[Livia]

Any insurance they may have had will be invalid in Iran unless they specifically said they were entering countries that the FCDO advise against visiting. Also, there will probably be little or no face to face help as consulate staff in Tehran will be very thin on the ground. They look old enough to know better. Pair of idiots.

[bots]

i've been to some dangerous places through the years and the reality is that very few people get caught out if you take proper precautions like going from place to place by taxi

[Vanessa]

Iran is well known for being very strict. I wouldn't go there if they paid me.

[UserSince2005]

hes quite hot actually

[Benjamin]

Terrible
bad luck

No bad luck about it. They willingly put themselves there despite the advice saying not to.

[Benjamin]

Might be stupid but we'd have never got anywhere in history if everyone had stayed well clear of dangerous areas

Respect the modern day explorers

They are not explorers. They are researchers (well she is) and tourists. And I’m all for travelling/seeing the world and taking risks as you all know, but this was a stupid risk on their part.

[UserSince2005]

the only thing theyre exploring is their sexuality in their respective prisons lol

[bots]

the last thing you want to do is standout in places like that, and they were on bikes probably looking for a place that sold cream teas and scones

[arista]

They went against official Foreign Office advice thinking they knew better, if the Iranians think they are spies they could be held for years


Utter Fools

[arista]

There photo on this paper

https://liveblog.digitalimages.sky/lc-images-sky/lcimg-7930eb30-c345-439d-99cd-693beb39f0a8.jpeg

[UserSince2005]

he damn hot

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/15/17/95246323-14400895-Photos_of_their_time_in_Iran_showed_them_on_walkin g_tours_of_the-a-1_1739638918862.jpg

[UserSince2005]

not so much in those pics

[Cherie]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/15/17/95246323-14400895-Photos_of_their_time_in_Iran_showed_them_on_walkin g_tours_of_the-a-1_1739638918862.jpg

lol thought so, its not them, its you kinda vibe

[Cherie]

Might be stupid but we'd have never got anywhere in history if everyone had stayed well clear of dangerous areas

Respect the modern day explorers

in all honesty if ancient explorers had knowledge of what was ahead they would probably have avoided....knowledge is king...unless you are this pair

[arista]

Iran views them as spies,
they are stupid/arrogant to ignore the rules


SkyNewsHD
showed their Instagram "happy feed."

The Foreign Office
make all these warnings Public
for good reason

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/15/15/95243747-14400895-Foreign_Office_guidance_advises_against_all_travel _to_Iran_where-a-5_1739634394060.jpg

[arista]

https://liveblog.digitalimages.sky/lc-images-sky/lcimg-577565e4-eb66-4f21-b1e2-453b2900e2ef.jpeg



Nice Photo of them in Iran

Totally ignoring the Rules of entering Iran.

[Ammi]

…well, however ill-considered/irresponsible etc their actions, I wish them safely back with their family soon…I don’t know if their home is UK or Spain…I know that they appeared on A New Life in the Sun one time, following a move to Spain…

[arista]

…well, however ill-considered/irresponsible etc their actions, I wish them safely back with their family soon…I don’t know if their home is UK or Spain…I know that they appeared on A New Life in the Sun one time, following a move to Spain…


Is a Few Years OK

[Ammi]

Is a Few Years OK

…hopefully that’s not what it will take but we’ll have to see…

[arista]

…hopefully that’s not what it will take but we’ll have to see…


Yes, we Hope it is not a few years.


Can you not see how Cocky there are
Flowing into Iran - Without Official Permission

[Ammi]

Yes, we Hope it is not a few years.


Can you not see how Cocky there are
Flowing into Iran - Without Official Permission

…of course, I did say that I felt that I felt that it was ill-considered/irresponsible but that doesn’t change that I hope they’re re-united with their family soon and that they aren’t detained for years…there are many things that people do that put them in danger, that doesn’t follow that we wouldn’t wish for them to be safe regardless…

[Cherie]

Iran will make an example of them I can't see this ending quickly sadly

[Niamh.]

What we're they arrested for? Because they were writing an article?

[Ammi]

What we're they arrested for? Because they were writing an article?

…I’m not sure whether they’re arrested as such/they’re being detained on ‘security grounds’…and thats sadly the only reasoning used by some country officials…hence the UK government advice of citizens not travelling to Iran…

[Niamh.]

…I’m not sure whether they’re arrested as such/they’re being detained on ‘security grounds’…and thats sadly the only reasoning used by some country officials…

Must be terrifying for them

[Cherie]

What we're they arrested for? Because they were writing an article?

They both have British passports, the FO advises against travel as holding a British passport can get you detained...and here we are

[Ammi]

Must be terrifying for them

…yeah for sure, and their families who now have no idea of when/if they will see them and what they’re enduring each day…it sadly could have been avoided but now the process and ordeal will be what it will be for everyone, sadly…

[bots]

they will be accused of spying and it's anyones guess what happens to them then. It's basically Iran taking hostages for leverage

[Ammi]

they will be accused of spying and it's anyones guess what happens to them then. It's basically Iran taking hostages for leverage

…it’s all too recent that we’re aware of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe who was detained for around 7/8 years or similar because it was when Boris was PM and apparently an ‘outstanding debt’ was paid to secure her release…/…although I don’t think that any of us believe that was the ‘simplicity’ of it all…

[arista]

Iran will make an example of them I can't see this ending quickly sadly



Yes as they failed to ask permission to enter Iran.


It all adds up

[Oliver_W]

having crossed into Iran

Okay, I think I see where they went wrong.

[rusticgal]

What we're they arrested for? Because they were writing an article?



Some countries do not need an excuse. I hope they get back safe but I have very little sympathy for them.

[Niamh.]

Some countries do not need an excuse. I hope they get back safe but I have very little sympathy for them.

It wouldn't be somewhere I'd personally choose to travel through but I still have a lot of sympathy for them

[bots]

do we have any numbers for how many british tourists go sightseeing in iran each year? I can't believe it is more than a small handful. I find it very odd

[rusticgal]

It wouldn't be somewhere I'd personally choose to travel through but I still have a lot of sympathy for them


Well you are a better person than me Niamh :love:.
In the world we live in we are fully aware of the dangers and injustices dealt out in other countries...we have seen people kidnapped and held to ransome...we have seen people locked up for years in appalling conditions accused of spying with little or no evidence...these countries do what they like. Its not like this couple are on a trip of discovery and exploration for the good of the world. They went because they wanted to...but they knew the risks and they gambled and now they are paying the price. So little sympathy from me.

[Livia]

Okay, I think I see where they went wrong.

LOL...

It's hard to legislate for the hard if thinking,

[UserSince2005]

Naughty spies apparently. tbh why you "biking" around iran, dont make sense.

[arista]

The Couple has now been charged with
Espionage


By the Iran Court.



SkyNewsHD Live

[arista]

[Detained Britons Craig and Lindsay Foreman
have been charged in Iran with espionage,
the country's judiciary news agency has said.

Mr and Mrs Foreman were arrested
in January but news of their detention,
on unspecified security charges,
emerged last week.

Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir
said that the couple, both aged 52, had
"entered Iran under the guise of tourists"
and "gathered information in
multiple provinces of the country".

The pair moved from East Sussex to start
a new life in Andalucia, Spain, in 2019
and had appeared on an episode of
Channel 4's A New Life in the Sun
in 2022 to showcase
their lives as expats.]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c743jle3vkno





When She Post's on Instagram
about her personal views of Iran,
that is viewed as Illegal by Iran Officials.


She is Stupid to not think her Instagram posts
would give any viewing it,
that Iran is a Free Country


Iran must give permission.
it is so simple

[arista]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/18/11/95243743-14408889-Mr_and_Dr_Foreman_only_passed_their_bike_tests_las t_year_before_-a-14_1739879951237.jpg

Iran demands control
of any images


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14408889/Captive-Brit-couple-charged-spying-Iran-days-arrested-motorbike-trip.html

[Cherie]

They will be there for years unless the government pay big bucks to get them out, they were ridiculously naive, and if you are going on an around the world trip you have to have some idea off the laws of the countries you are entering..AND ignore Foreign Office advice .its just madness that they thought they would do what they like, the remind me of an English couple on the bus in Spain last year, the bus went in the opposite direction to what they were expecting so they asked the bus driver what they should do....he was clearly irritated and spoke to them in Spanish....they got off the bus clearly disgruntled shouting we are English before giving the bus a kick for good measure, Mr C and I were in stitches and tbh I would have told them just to cross the road and wait for the next bus back but they were so horrible I didn't bother :laugh:

[Niamh.]

They will be there for years unless the government pay big bucks to get them out, they were ridiculously naive, and if you are going on an around the world trip you have to have some idea off the laws of the countries you are entering..AND ignore Foreign Office advice .its just madness that they thought they would do what they like, the remind me of an English couple on the bus in Spain last year, the bus went in the opposite direction to what they were expecting so they asked the bus driver what they should do....he was clearly irritated and spoke to them in Spanish....they got off the bus clearly disgruntled shouting we are English before giving the bus a kick for good measure, Mr C and I were in stitches and tbh I would have told them just to cross the road and wait for the next bus back but they were so horrible I didn't bother :laugh:

Why did they think that would change anything? "Oh you're English? well get back on and we'll go wherever you want!" :hehe:

[arista]

Her Arrongce
shocks me.
No respect for the Iranian Officials

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran


Off to Jail for them soon.

[Cherie]

Why did they think that would change anything? "Oh you're English? well get back on and we'll go wherever you want!" :hehe:

I don't know, it was the wife screaming we are English, he gave the bus a kick...think they wanted the driver to speak English, I am sure he could but he wasn't going to :laugh:

[Niamh.]

I don't know, it was the wife screaming we are English, he gave the bus a kick...think they wanted the driver to speak English, I am sure he could but he wasn't going to :laugh:

So annoying when people do that in foreign countries, it's so entitled

[UserSince2005]

defo collecting data, how stupid do they think Iran are?
even if not directly employed by MI6, there is something very fishy going on.
would seem the whole "we're biking around the world" is just a pretense to collect data.

[Crimson Dynamo]

If for some ungodly reason a foreign person cannot speak English then one must raise their voice to a level where the beligerant person begins to fully comprehend the order what you have given them

this is universal position

[Cherie]

They wrote before hand they were 'aware of the risks, but wanted to encounter for themselves the warm hospitality of the people and the beauty of the surroundings' if that is not entitlement I don't know what is..... I think maybe they thought they were being sold a false narrative :shrug: They will certainly get the full experience

[arista]

The UK can not afford
another £400Million.

[Vanessa]

They knew the risks. Let them use their own money for lawyers.

[joeysteele]

Madness to go anywhere near Iran.

[Vanessa]

Madness to go anywhere near Iran.

I wouldn't go anywhere near the middle east. Different culture. I'm sticking with Europe.

[Ray.]

If and when they eventually leave Iran, I'm sure they'll be fully restored to their normal, terrible old selves. But hopefully they'll be a little bit wiser for the wear. :hehe:

[MTVN]

Let's all hope they are out in a couple of weeks with a great story for the grandkids and a book deal

[arista]

Let's all hope they are out in a couple of weeks with a great story for the grandkids and a book deal


Sadly not

Off To Jail.

[bots]

there is probably a 50/50 chance that they were actually spying

[Ammi]

It wouldn't be somewhere I'd personally choose to travel through but I still have a lot of sympathy for them

…yeah, same as this really…I have sympathy for them and their family …yes, it was a foolhardy decision and disregarding advice but i feel for them for what their lives will be now…

[Cherie]

there is probably a 50/50 chance that they were actually spying

doubtful, surely you would not draw attention to yourself with numerous instagram posts :laugh: I think they are a pair of idiots who thought because they are lovely nothing bad would befall them

[arista]

doubtful, surely you would not draw attention to yourself with numerous instagram posts :laugh: I think they are a pair of idiots who thought because they are lovely nothing bad would befall them


That is what has upset Iran.

Also
Dangerous for all those Local Iranians
that were in their Jolly Photos.

[Cherie]

That is what has upset Iran.

Also
Dangerous for all those Local Iranians
that were in their Jolly Photos.

Yes all very jolly, I hope they remain so