The family of Craig and Lindsay Foreman said the British couple detained in Iran have ended hunger strikes of 93 and 84 days. Arrested in January 2025 during a motorcycle trip and later sentenced to 10 years, the family alleges Craig had two extra years added after speaking to the media. Their son, Joe Bennett, joined a five-day solidarity fast and urged UK officials to press for diplomatic action and international support.
British Couple Held in Iran End Months-Long Hunger Strikes After 93 and 84 Days
The pair were arrested in January 2025 [Free Lindsay and Craig Campaign]
British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman, detained in Iran after being accused of espionage, have ended separate hunger strikes that lasted 93 and 84 days respectively, their family said.
Background
The Foremans were arrested in January 2025 while travelling through Iran on a motorcycle journey from Europe to Australia. In February both were sentenced to 10 years in prison; their family says Craig had two additional years added to his term after speaking to the media. The couple, who are from East Sussex, deny the espionage allegations.
Hunger Strike and Solidarity
The couple began refusing food in May after prison authorities prevented them from calling their relatives. Their family said the hunger strikes were a protest against how they and other inmates were being treated. For the final five days of the most recent protest, five people outside the prison—including their son, Joe Bennett, and four unnamed participants in the UK—joined the fast in solidarity; the family said some prisoners inside Tehran's Evin Prison also took part.
Bennett joined the latest hunger strike for the final five days [BBC]
“My mum and Craig have spent months on hunger strike, and even at the point of bringing it to an end they wanted to make it about something bigger than themselves,” Bennett said. “Those final five days became about people standing together around values that should be universal: truth, justice, kindness, peace and unity.”
Health And Diplomatic Response
By the end of the protest Craig Foreman had been on hunger strike for 93 days and Lindsay Foreman for 84 days, the family reported. During their strikes the couple reportedly consumed only milk and small amounts of honey or salt dissolved in water; the family said they were unaware of the pair's exact medical condition.
The family said the Foremans also staged an earlier hunger strike in November described as a "cry out for help." Relatives recently met the UK government's envoy for complex consular cases, Alistair Burt, and the minister for the Middle East, Stephen Doughty. Bennett called the discussions "positive and constructive" and urged officials to convert supportive words into action by seeking international backing, opening diplomatic dialogue with Iran and formally recognising the detention as arbitrary.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has been contacted for comment.
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