A CHANNEL 4 star Brit couple detained in Iran may have been arrested to be used as human bargaining chips, it has been claimed.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman were on a motorbike journey through Iran despite official warnings when they were arrested on unspecified security charges.
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An Iranian government source told The Telegraph that the Foremans, both in their early 50s, were also likely arrested simply because of their Brit nationality.
“They weren’t arrested for committing a crime – they’re British citizens, and that alone is enough to justify their detention and then phone England and ask for something,” the source said.
“They likely took photos of something, which has been used as a pretext for their arrest, and now they [the authorities] are trying to get something from England in exchange for their release.”
The insider added: “We don’t know exactly what’s happening, but demands may have already been made to England for their release.
“You don’t need to commit a crime – holding a European passport makes you a target here. If you have blue eyes and blonde hair, Iran is not safe for you, whether you’re a tourist or travelling for business.”
The couple, who had previously been featured on Channel 4‘s A New Life in the Sun, had ignored pleas from friends, family and the Foreign Office (FCDO) not to enter Iran.
FCDO guidance explicitly warns against all travel to the country, cautioning that British citizens could be arrested simply for their nationality.
But just days before being detained, Craig and Lindsay acknowledged the risks in a social media post on December 30.
It read: “Despite the advice of friends, family, and the FCDO (which strongly advises against travel to Iran for British nationals), we’ve chosen to keep moving forward.
“Why? Because we believe that, no matter where you are in the world, most people are good, kind humans striving for a meaningful life. Yes, we’re aware of the risks.
“We also know the rewards of meeting incredible people, hearing their stories, and seeing the breathtaking landscapes of these regions could far outweigh the fear.”
Their last known locations were Tabriz, Tehran, and Isfahan.
They were due to check into a hotel in Kerman but never arrived.
Iranian authorities have since released an image of the couple—faces blurred—meeting Hugo Shorter, the British ambassador.
The UK government is now facing mounting calls to act swiftly.
Richard Ratcliffe, whose wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was imprisoned in Iran for six years, urged officials to move faster than they did in her case.
“My heart goes out to them, and I hope they are not in for a long ordeal, and that the government is able to respond more promptly than it did in our case,” he said.
He also criticised the government’s travel advice for failing to highlight the risk of British citizens being used as potential hostages.
Ratcliffe said: “I do think the risks would be a lot clearer to people if the UK travel advice to Iran talked about the risks of hostage-taking.”
Despite the dangers, the Foremans had shared their belief in human kindness throughout their travels.
Lindsay previously posted a photo of herself with a religious leader in Iran, both holding their hands over their hearts, captioned: “Travel continues to teach me that humanity’s core is shared: kindness, humility, and respect for one another.
“Sometimes, it’s the quietest moments that leave the loudest impressions.”
In another post, she spoke of a “one human family” and the power of connection.
“This journey has taught me that when we strip away our differences, what remains is simple and powerful – our shared humanity,” she wrote.
“And when we choose to shine, together we can truly light up the world.”
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