Jail sentence for British couple in Iran ‘totally unjustifiable’, says foreign secretary

The Guardian World

by PA Media

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The British foreign secretary has condemned a 10-year jail sentence handed to a British couple in Iran as "totally unjustifiable." Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were arrested in January 2025 while on an around-the-world motorcycle trip. They were detained on charges of espionage and are currently held in Tehran’s Evin prison, where they deny the allegations. The couple was traveling through Iran as part of a global journey when they were apprehended. Their arrest has sparked concerns over the treatment of foreign nationals in Iran, particularly amid tensions between the UK and Iran. The British government has raised their case with Iranian authorities, calling for an immediate review of the sentence and demanding that the couple be released. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the situation as "deeply worrying" and urged Iran to respect international law and human rights standards. She emphasized that the couple’s conviction and sentencing appeared to be politically motivated rather than based on concrete evidence. The case has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which argue that the charges lack credibility and are likely retaliation against British diplomatic efforts. The situation highlights the ongoing strains in UK-Iran relations and raises questions about the safety of foreign travelers in Iran. Many have expressed concern over the arbitrary application of justice in Iran, particularly against non-nationals. The case has also prompted calls for greater scrutiny of Iran’s judicial practices and the need for international diplomacy to address such issues. For readers interested in global politics and human rights, this story underscores the challenges faced by British citizens abroad and the delicate balance of diplomatic relations in resolving such disputes. The outcome of the Foreman couple’s case could set a precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future.

Verticals

worldpolitics

Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/19/2026