Iranian Authorities Accuse British Couple of Espionage

Iranian authorities have accused a British couple of engaging in espionage activities during their detention, a charge that surfaced in a report by state-affiliated media. According to a judiciary spokesperson, the Revolutionary Guard’s intelligence unit apprehended the pair in the southern city of Kerman, where they were allegedly involved in gathering intelligence from several provinces and maintaining connections with agencies from countries considered hostile by Tehran.

The couple, identified in a family statement as Craig and Lindsay Foreman, had been traveling by motorbike and had reportedly crossed the border from Armenia in late December, with plans to visit Pakistan. The UK Foreign Office has expressed significant concern over the espionage allegations, affirming that consular support is being provided while the case is continuously raised with Iranian officials.

In addition, the British ambassador to Iran met with the couple in Kerman in the presence of Iranian justice and local government representatives, underscoring the ongoing diplomatic engagement. This case fits into a broader pattern where Iran is accused of detaining Western nationals on security charges, a move critics argue is intended to leverage negotiations with the West—a claim that Iranian authorities continue to deny.