UN experts and family call for release of British couple imprisoned in Iran amid US peace deal talks

UN experts and family are calling for the release of British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who were sentenced to 10 years in Iran's Evin prison on espionage charges they deny. The couple is on a prolonged hunger strike, deemed a "medical emergency." Their family is urging that their release be included in ongoing US-Iran peace deal negotiations, which could see a US naval blockade lifted and shipping lanes reopened.

British couple imprisoned in Iran

• ▪UN special rapporteurs stated the proceedings against the Foremans had grave irregularities and failed to meet fair trial guarantees.
• ▪The UN experts believe Craig and Lindsay Foreman may be being held for political leverage.
• ▪British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman, from East Sussex, were sentenced to 10 years in Tehran’s Evin prison.
• ▪The couple was detained in January 2025 and sentenced in February 2026.
• ▪Craig and Lindsay Foreman lost their appeal against their sentence and were not permitted to attend the hearing.
• ▪Craig and Lindsay Foreman were charged with espionage during a round-the-world motorcycle trip, which they deny.

Hunger strike by detainees

• ▪UN experts have called the Foremans' hunger strike a "medical emergency" after 30 days without food.
• ▪Craig Foreman has been on hunger strike for 39 days and Lindsay Foreman for 30 days.
• ▪The couple began their hunger strike after Iran cut off their phone contact with family.

Prison conditions at Evin

• ▪The Foremans have reportedly endured threats of execution, witnessed knife fights, and suffered from chronic medical neglect in prison.
• ▪The Foremans are being held in overcrowded, unsanitary, and vermin-ridden conditions in Evin prison.
• ▪The couple has been forced to sleep on concrete floors or metal bunks without mattresses.

US-Iran peace deal negotiations

• ▪A potential US-Iran peace deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
• ▪Negotiators are working towards a preliminary US-Iran peace agreement, expected on Friday, June 19, 2026, to end the war.

Potential prisoner swap arrangement

• ▪A media investigation uncovered a 15-year campaign by Iranian officials to secure the return of an Iranian stalker held by the UK.
• ▪UK Deputy PM David Lammy said "arrangements can be made" in response to calls for a prisoner swap.

Family advocacy for release

• ▪Joe Bennett traveled to the United States in March to seek help, citing frustration with the British government.
• ▪The UK government has called the Foremans' 10-year sentence "totally unjustifiable".
• ▪A petition demanding action to secure the Foremans’ release has collected more than 88,000 signatures.
• ▪Lindsay Foreman's son, Joe Bennett, is leading the family's campaign for the couple's release.

3 sources