British Couple Jailed in Iran: ‘We’re Likely to Be Here for a Long Time’

Imprisoned and Struggling to Stay Strong

British couple jailed in Iran – Lindsay Foreman, a 53-year-old life coach, has found ways to endure her 16-month stay in Iran’s Evin prison. She mentions maintaining her composure through reading, circling the courtyard, and practicing yoga when possible. Exercise, she explains, has always been her “salvation.” Yet, despite these efforts, Lindsay admits she is beginning to feel the weight of the situation. “I’m dealing with the realisation that we’re likely to be here for a long time,” she tells me over the phone from Evin, a facility known for its harsh conditions.

“I just feel that we’re wasting our lives in here and rotting away,” Craig says. “We are innocent people. We have committed no offence.” He pleads with the government: “Just take action. Speak out. Get us out. It seems to me we’re sitting here like sitting ducks.”

The couple, from East Sussex, were arrested in January 2025 while on a round-the-world motorcycle trip. They crossed into Iran from Armenia, intending to stay only a few days. Their arrest came on suspicion of espionage, a charge they vehemently contest. A 10-year sentence was imposed in February, leaving them in a state of uncertainty about their future. Their son, Joe Bennett, now plays a central role in their connection to the outside world.

Communication Through Payphones and Uncertainty

Joe, who has been in regular contact with his parents via phone calls, describes the setup as a fragile lifeline. The conversations are routed through payphones in Evin, facilitated by the Foreign Office, which has called their detention “appalling” and “unjustifiable.” However, the lines often drop, and calls are monitored. A Farsi recording frequently interrupts, stating: “This call is from Evin prison and the caller is a prisoner.”

“It’s very frustrating, but these phone calls are a lifeline for them and for us,” Joe says, recounting how he allowed us to speak to his parents during their call. Despite the challenges, the couple is speaking to the media together for the first time since their incarceration. Their voices come through separate devices, highlighting the separation that has become a part of their daily reality.

A Monotony After the War

Prison life has settled into a predictable rhythm for the pair, though it remains marked by the lingering effects of the recent Israel-US war with Iran. The intense fear they experienced during the conflict has given way to a more subdued existence. Lindsay, who spent the first 57 days of her detention in solitary confinement in Kerman, still feels the tremors of that period. “I was on the phone to Joe when there was one that came so close the windows popped out,” she shares, recalling a near-miss bomb blast.

Craig, on the other hand, is housed with other foreigners, including an Ecuadorian, a German, and a Romanian man. This shared space has fostered a sense of camaraderie, which he describes as a comfort. “We can do this,” he reassures Lindsay over the speakerphone, as she recounts her struggles. “We will do this. We’ll get through it together, and someday I hope soon, we will be on the other side of these walls. So stay strong, my love.”

Hope and Resilience in Adversity

Lindsay, who holds a doctorate in positive psychology, says she has used her expertise to navigate the mental toll of imprisonment. Yet, even with these tools, there are moments of despair. “There are people who have been here for years, and it’s just so unfair,” she says, her voice trembling. The prison library, she notes, has become a limited resource, and she fears running out of books to borrow.

The couple’s ordeal began with a simple goal: to explore the concept of a “good life” through conversations with travelers along their route. Lindsay was set to present her findings at a Brisbane conference, a plan that now feels distant. “Craig and I had assessed the risk and did not think innocent tourists would end up in prison for this long with no evidence,” she says. “I take responsibility for the choice I made to come here, and I have to live with the consequences.”

The Path to Evin and the Weight of Uncertainty

As they travel from Europe to Australia, the couple’s journey took a dramatic turn when they entered Iran. The country’s tense political climate, exacerbated by the ongoing war, has created a backdrop of suspicion. The Foreign Office had warned British nationals against traveling there, but the couple believed the risks were manageable. “We thought we could handle this,” Craig reflects.

During their solitary confinement, Craig endured interrogations while blindfolded, a process he describes as “horrific.” Lindsay, meanwhile, was confined in a cell with no English speakers, where she sleeps on a metal bunk. The physical and emotional toll is evident, yet they remain determined. “We are innocent,” Craig insists. “We have committed no offence.”

A New Normal in a Foreign Land

The couple’s daily life in Evin is a blend of routine and anxiety. Lindsay finds solace in reading Scott Peck’s “The Road Less Travelled,” a book about personal growth in difficult circumstances. She sees it as a metaphor for their current situation, a reminder that resilience can be cultivated even in the darkest moments. Craig, though less isolated, struggles with the monotony and the uncertainty of when they will be released.

Joe, who frequently relays messages between his parents and the outside world, has become their emotional anchor. He shares updates about the war and the state of the embassy, which remains closed following the conflict. The couple’s separation, while challenging, has also strengthened their bond. “We’re here together, even if we can’t see each other,” Lindsay says, her voice steady despite the tears that occasionally surface.

The Road Less Travelled and the Fight for Freedom

For Lindsay, the journey through Iran has been both a test and a lesson. Her life coaching experience has helped her process the ordeal, but she acknowledges the unique challenges of imprisonment in a foreign land. “It’s hard to imagine what someone hasn’t been through to truly understand,” she says. The couple’s hope for release remains their driving force, even as they face the possibility of years in Evin.

Despite the setbacks, they continue to advocate for themselves. Craig’s plea to the government underscores their determination to not be forgotten. “Speak out,” he urges. “Get us out. We’re like sitting ducks here.” The couple’s story has captured international attention, but their focus remains on the immediate struggle. As they prepare for the next chapter of their imprisonment, they hold onto the belief that their time in Evin will eventually come to an end.