A British couple who are being held captive in Iran ignored pleas from their friends, family and the Foreign Office not to visit the war-torn nation before embarking on a motorbike journey across its entire length.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who are in their early 50s, said they were putting their faith in there being ‘good, kind humans’ everywhere in the world as they entered the country from Armenia on December 30.
After crossing into Iran Mr Foreman, a carpenter, and Dr Foreman, a life coach, stayed in Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan. But they never reached their next hotel in Kerman.
Foreign Office guidance advises against all travel to Iran, where they say travellers could be arrested just for ‘having a British passport or connections to the UK’. They were arrested in January on unspecified security charges.
Today, the couple’s desperate family issued a plea for help – saying the arrest had ’caused significant concern’ and that they were ‘united in our determination to secure their safe return’.
They said they had chosen to ignore people telling them not to travel to Iran because they ‘believe that, no matter where you are in the world, most people are good, kind humans striving for a meaningful life.’
They called it ‘one of the most challenging—and let’s be honest, slightly scary—sections of our journey’ as they declared they had ‘chosen to keep moving forward’.
Dr Foreman continued: ‘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.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who are in their early 50s, said they were putting their faith in there being ‘good, kind humans’ everywhere in the world as they entered the country from Armenia on December 30
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, in their early 50s, were arrested in January on unspecified security charges
After crossing into Iran Mr Foreman, a carpenter, and Dr Foreman, a life coach, stayed in Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan. But they never reached their next hotel in Kerman
Mr Foreman, a carpenter, and Ms Foreman, a life coach, crossed into Iran from Armenia on December 30 and their plan was to leave the country by January 4 on their way to Australia
Foreign Office guidance advises against all travel to Iran, where they say British nationals face the threat of arrest
The couple pose with a religious leader and their guide while they travel through IranÂ
‘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.
‘We’re carrying your love and good wishes with us, so stay tuned for updates from this unforgettable part of our adventure.’
The Foreign Office (FCDO) said it is in contact with Iranian authorities and providing Mr and Dr Foreman with consular support.
The news of their arrest was first released by state-run media who said they were being held custody in Kerman.
They published an image of the couple – with their faces blurred – meeting Hugo Shorter, the British ambassador.Â
The couple had previously found fame on the Channel 4 show ‘A New Life in the Sun’, documenting their move from Sussex to a ‘breathtaking’ three-bedroom villa in the Andalusia region of Spain. They said they wanted to ‘really take advantage of the cheaper cost of living, the wonderful weather, lifestyle and more relaxed pace of life’.
In a post on January 3, after they had crossed into Iran, Dr Foreman posted a photo of herself with a religious leader, both holding their hands over their hearts.
Capturing the poignant scene, she said: ‘Travel continues to teach me that humanity’s core is shared: kindness, humility, and respect for one another. Sometimes, it’s the quietest moments that leave the loudest impressions.’
State media published an image of the couple – with their faces blurred – meeting Hugo Shorter, the British ambassador
The couple said they had chosen to ignore the words of their friends, family and the Foreign Office because they ‘believe that, no matter where you are in the world, most people are good, kind humans striving for a meaningful life’
Photos of their time in Iran showed them on walking tours of the Tabriz Bazaar, the Tower of Silence and trying out Persian martial Arts as they travelled from city to city
All posts on Mr and Dr Foreman’s social media pages halt abruptly on January 3, but they continue to appear on their guides stories and posts after this date. It is unknown whether he was posting these after the date without knowledge of their arrest (pictures posted on January 21)
Mr and Dr Foreman only passed their bike tests last year before embarking on their round-the-world tripÂ
The life coach, who has a doctorate in psychology, was preparing a research project which she was to present in Brisbane at the conclusion of their trip, the BBC reports
In another from the same day, she posted a photo of herself laughing with locals, and praising the ‘one human family’ she had found in her travels.
She added: ‘Travel has a way of reminding you of what really matters. On this journey around the world, we’ve felt a deep sense of connection—and nowhere more so than here in Iran.
‘This journey has taught me that when we strip away our differences, what remains is simple and powerful – our shared humanity. And when we choose to shine, together we can truly light up the world.
‘Let’s focus on what unites us, celebrate each other’s truths, and embrace the beauty of connection.’
Photos of their time in Iran showed them on walking tours of the Tabriz Bazaar, the Tower of Silence and trying out Persian martial Arts as they travelled from city to city.
In a chilling comment under one, a follower posted: ‘Hi Lindsay, I haven’t seen any updates from you lately, I hope everything is okay.’
The guide they toured the country with told MailOnline he had ‘no information’ and was ‘only a tourist guide and working with agencies’.Â
All posts on Mr and Dr Foreman’s social media pages halt abruptly on January 3, but they continue to appear on their guides stories and posts after this date. It is unknown whether he was posting these after the date without knowledge of their arrest.
This included a video of them dancing animatedly with locals posted on January 11, a week after they were supposed to have left the country.Â
Photos of their time in Iran showed them on walking tours of the Tabriz Bazaar, the Tower of Silence and trying out Persian martial Arts as they travelled from city to city with a guide
The couple praised the country’s inhabitants for their hospitality as they enjoyed their stay
After crossing into Iran they stayed in Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan. They never reached their next hotel in KermanÂ
Dr Foreman was asking people at points along their trip what it means to be human and how you can live a good life
The couple can be seen posing with their bikes with a stunning backdrop as they travelled through Turkey
They only passed their bike tests last year before embarking on their round-the-world trip.
The life coach was preparing a research project which she was to present in Brisbane at the conclusion of their trip, the BBC reports.
She was asking people at points along their trip what it means to be human and how you can live a good life.Â
Before entering Iran, she posted on her social media that they were about to ‘tackle one of the most challenging—and let’s be honest, slightly scary—sections of our journey’.Â
Foreign Office guidance advises against all travel to Iran, where they say British nationals face the threat of arrest and tensions within the Middle East could quickly escalate.
They say: ‘British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.Â
‘Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.’Â
They had planned to enter Pakistan next, posting on social media on January 3: ‘It’s a very busy itinerary, we have limited connectivity and we have to use a vpn to get onto most apps (especially social media) so I will hopefully catch up with posting when we arrive in Pakistan (from tomorrow evening – though we have to have a government provided armed escort for the first few days so let’s see how that goes?!!).’Â
In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the family of Craig and Lindsay Foreman said their arrest had ’caused significant concern’ and that they were ‘united in our determination to secure their safe return’Â
Mr and Dr Foreman grin into the camera in the months before they were taken custody by Iran
Ms Foreman’s latest TikTok post, dated December 28, shows the couple in the Armenian countryside.
The latest post on Mr Foreman’s Facebook page, from Isfahan in Iran, also on January 3, displays a number of selfies apparently showing the couple, along with the caption: ‘What a wonderful place’.
In a statement from the family of Craig and Lindsay Foreman, they said their arrest had ’caused significant concern’ and that they were ‘united in our determination to secure their safe return’.
They said: ‘We would like to take this opportunity to address the distressing situation concerning Craig and Lindsay Foreman who are currently being detained in Kerman, Iran.Â
‘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.Â
 ‘We are actively engaging with the British government and relevant authorities, working diligently to navigate the complexities of this matter. The family are united in our determination to secure their safe return.
 ‘We truly appreciate the outpouring of support from friends, family, and the community, which has provided us with strength and encouragement as we face this ordeal.
 ‘In light of the circumstances, we kindly ask for the utmost respect regarding our family’s privacy.Â
‘The emotional burden of this situation weighs heavily on us, and we request that all media inquiries be directed to the FCDO as we manage this challenging chapter in our lives. Thank you for your understanding, compassion, and continued support.’
