British couple arrested in Iran named as husband and wife on round-the-world motorbike ride
A British couple arrested in Iran on unspecified “security charges” have been identified as Craig and Lindsay Foreman – a husband and wife who were mid-way through a round-the-world motorbike ride.
Mrs Foreman, a life coach with a doctorate in psychology, and Mr Foreman, a carpenter, were planning on reaching Australia, but were detained last month after they crossed into Iran from Armenia.
Now, their family says they are in a “distressing situation” and are working with the Foreign Office to secure their release.
The couple, in their early 50s, have been documenting their travels on social media.
Mrs Foreman said she was “having an amazing time” in Iran while Mr Foreman described “lovely people” in a “lovely country”.
The couple embarked on the mammoth motorbike journey in October, heading across Europe and into Asia via Turkey
After staying in the cities of Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan, accompanied by a tour guide, they travelled on to Kerman but never checked into their hotel there.
Photographs released this week show the husband and wife meeting Hugo Shorter, the British ambassador to Iran at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Kerman.
The meeting was attended by Mehdi Bakhshi, the local prosecutor, and Rahman Jalali, the province’s deputy governor for security and law enforcement affairs.
The couple were aware of foreign office advice not to visit Iran.
“Yes, we’re aware of the risks,” Mrs Foreman wrote on social media. “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.”
The couple previously lived in East Sussex but moved to Andalusia, Spain, in 2019.
They embarked on the mammoth motorbike journey in October, heading across Europe and into Asia via Turkey. The end goal was to reach Brisbane, Australia for a positive psychology conference in July 2025.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, in their early 50s, have been documenting their travels on social media
A statement from the family of Mr and Mrs Foreman 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. 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.
“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.”
The Foreign Office says it is in contact with the local authorities in Iran, and is providing the couple with consular assistance.
It currently advises British nationals to avoid all travel to Iran.
Iran currently holds several European nationals in detention. Western governments have repeatedly accused the Islamic Republic of taking dual and foreign nationals hostage for the sole purpose of using them in prisoner swaps or as a bargaining chip in international negotiations.
