Full Breakdown
British Couple’s Appeal Rejected in Iran, Hunger Strike Continues
6/2/2026, 11:29:34 PM
Appeal Rejection and Ongoing Hunger Strike
British carpenter Craig Foreman and life-coach Lindsay Foreman were arrested in January 2025 while on a round-the-world motorcycle trip through Iran. In February 2025 an Iranian Revolutionary Court sentenced them to ten years for espionage, a charge they deny. Their June 2026 appeal was rejected without explanation; both remain in Tehran’s Evin prison on hunger strike—Craig on day 25, Lindsay on day 16—and have been denied any family contact.
Background and Context
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns that travel to Iran carries a “significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.” Iranian authorities have repeatedly charged foreigners with security offences; the five-year imprisonment of British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, released in 2022 after a debt settlement, is often cited. Iran denies detainees are used as bargaining chips.
Criticism and Opposition
Joe Bennett, the Foremans’ son, says his parents were barred from attending their own appeal hearing and were asked to sign unread Farsi documents, which they refused. He adds the family has no information on legal arguments presented. Lawyer Haydee Dijkstal calls detention a breach of fundamental rights, while Richard Ratcliffe, whose wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was held, describes Revolutionary Court as “a theatre of punishment rather than a real court.”
Official Statements and Responses
The FCDO called the Foremans’ incarceration “unjustified and appalling” and expressed disappointment with the appeal outcome. It pledged continued diplomatic pressure to secure their release, noting that the British ambassador and other officials have provided consular assistance, including prison visits and facilitating family calls when possible. The department reiterates its travel warning for British and British-Iranian nationals.
Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps
Iranian authorities have given no reason for the appeal rejection and have not disclosed the arguments heard. No official Iranian comment has been published. The timeline for the Supreme Court’s review is unclear, and the family does not know whether any submissions will be made on their behalf.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are disappointed by the appeal decision and will continue working to ensure that Craig and Lindsay are returned safely to the UK.” — Foreign Office spokesperson
- “Since their arrest last year, Britain’s ambassador to Tehran, diplomats and officials in London have been working to provide consular assistance.” — FCDO statement
- “The Revolutionary Court is a theatre of punishment rather than a real court,” — Richard Ratcliffe
- “The dial needs to shift, and it needs to shift now.” — Joe Bennett
What’s Next
The appeal has been sent to Iran’s Supreme Court, though the filing schedule is unknown. The FCDO says it will keep diplomatic pressure on Tehran and seek to restore limited prison privileges, such as medical supplies and clothing. The family hopes the hunger strike will end if consular visits resume, but the couple’s health remains precarious.
