Iran has escalated tensions by accusing two detained British nationals, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, of espionage and ties to hostile intelligence agencies, as reported by Mizanonline.ir. The couple, arrested in Kerman in January during a global motorbike journey, faces severe charges that could heighten UK-Iran diplomatic strains.
Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir claimed Revolutionary Guard forces apprehended the pair for allegedly collecting information from several provinces on behalf of unnamed adversarial nations.
The detained individuals engaged in espionage activities and maintained direct links with intelligence agencies of hostile countries,Jahangir stated without providing evidence.
UK authorities confirmed the Foremans entered Iran from Armenia on December 30, 2023, during a planned motorcycle expedition to Pakistan. Family representatives described their detention as deeply distressing through an official Foreign Office statement released Saturday.
Key developments:
- British Ambassador Hugo Shorter conducted a supervised visit with the couple on Wednesday
- Iran maintains charges of espionage despite withheld evidentiary details
- Historic pattern of Western detainments continues amid nuclear deal negotiations
Analysts highlight Tehran’s recurring strategy of hostage diplomacy, with over 30 foreign nationals detained since 2015. Human rights groups condemn these actions as politically motivated bargaining tactics, which Iranian officials consistently deny.