Call with couple in Iran prison 'enormous relief'

The family of an East Sussex couple detained in Iran say they have spoken to them for the first time in three months.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman were sentenced to 10 years in jail over espionage charges, which they both deny, and are being held in Evin prison.

Lindsay's son, Joe Bennett, said hearing his mum's voice was "an enormous relief" and encouraged the government to visit the couple as the UK embassy in Iran reopened last week after closing due to ongoing security concerns in the region.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson confirmed staff had returned to the embassy and said the pair's health and welfare was a "top priority".

Bennett, who lives in Folkestone, said the 12-minute phone call was their first official conversation since the couple ended their hunger strikes.

He said his mother told him she and her husband were "slowly rebuilding their strength" after losing a substantial amount of weight.

"Just hearing mum's voice properly again was an enormous relief," he added.

"We only had 12 minutes, but after everything that has happened, those 12 minutes meant a great deal."

Bennett said his mother and her partner had remained "mentally resilient" and "determined to return home".

Bennett claimed the conversation was "monitored" and conducted with an interpreter present, limiting what could be discussed.

He is now calling for the UK Government to take "swift action" to arrange an urgent consular visit and ensure the couple receive appropriate medical care.

He also hopes to meet with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and for the government to use all available diplomatic and legal channels to secure their release.

He said the family was particularly concerned the couple did not receive a full medical assessment following their hunger strikes.

An FCDO spokesperson said: "Since their arrest last year, Britain's ambassador to Tehran, diplomats and officials in London have been working to provide consular assistance."

They added this included the ambassador, who visited them in prison earlier in the year, and facilitating calls with their family back in the UK.

The spokesperson said the family of the Foremans met with Minister of the Middle East Stephen Doughty, alongside consular detention's envoy Alistair Burt, on 5 August.

"Minister Doughty set out how unjustified and appalling we consider Lindsay and Craig's incarceration to be, and the action that the UK Government is taking to try and secure their release," they added.

The Foremans, who were first arrested in January 2025 while travelling the world, have been detained for more than 18 months.

They were each sentenced to 10 years in jail in February 2026, but Craig Foreman's sentence was extended by two years in July, which relatives say was for talking to the media from his cell.

The couple's family have called for their release throughout their detention, including calling for this to be included in a US-Iran peace deal, and for them to be included in a prisoner exchange.

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