British couple jailed in Iran: 'We're likely to be here for a long time'

Lindsay Foreman reports that she maintains her mental well-being through reading, taking walks in the prison yard, and practicing yoga whenever possible. Exercise has consistently served as her "salvation." However, after 16 months of incarceration in Iran, she confesses that she is facing significant challenges.

"I am coming to terms with the fact that we are likely to be here for a prolonged period," she shares during a phone call from Iran's infamous Evin jail.

Lindsay, aged 53 and a life coach, along with her husband Craig, 52, were apprehended while on a worldwide motorcycle journey in January 2025 under suspicion of espionage—an accusation they firmly reject.

'We're wasting our lives in here'

The couple from East Sussex is grappling with the harsh reality of a 10-year prison sentence handed down to them in February following their ordeal during the recent conflict involving Iran.

"I feel that we are wasting our lives here, simply rotting away," Craig states. "We are innocent. We have committed no crime."

He urges the government to take action: "Please speak out and help us. It feels like we are just sitting here like sitting ducks."

The couple is speaking with the media together for the first time since their incarceration, utilizing separate phones. They are currently housed in different cells within the same facility. After enduring extended periods of isolation, their son, Joe Bennett, now enjoys regular phone conversations with his parents.

These calls are facilitated by payphones in Evin prison via the Foreign Office, which has condemned their detention as "appalling" and "unjustifiable."

Joe Bennett relays the significance of these calls, despite the technical difficulties they face. The connection often drops, and the conversations are monitored. A repeated interruption in Farsi announces, "This call is from Evin prison, and the caller is a prisoner."

"While it’s frustrating, these calls are a lifeline for us all," Joe emphasizes, allowing media access during their conversations.

The couple describes a return to a monotonous prison life following the heightened fear experienced during the conflict between Israel and the United States with Iran, though a fragile ceasefire currently prevails.

Lindsay occupies her time by reading "The Road Less Travelled" by Scott Peck, a text focused on personal growth in challenging circumstances. She expresses concern about running out of reading material from the prison library soon.

Consular visits have ceased entirely since the British embassy temporarily closed at the war's onset and has not yet resumed operations.

The psychological impact of the situation remains evident as Lindsay recounts her sensitivity to sudden noises following recent bombings near the prison. "I was on the phone to Joe when a bombing occurred so close that it caused the windows to pop out," she recalls.

The couple reflects on their shared struggles during the conflict, identifying the direct attacks launched by the U.S. and Israel against Tehran.

Craig has found camaraderie with other foreign inmates, including individuals from Ecuador, Germany, and Romania, while Lindsay reports feeling more isolated within her cell, where she lacks English-speaking companions and sleeps on a metal bunk.

Days of dark despair

Despite her background in positive psychology, which she credits for equipping her with coping mechanisms, Lindsay experiences days filled with profound despair.

With tears, she expresses, "There are individuals here who have endured years of this, and it's so unjust."

Hearing her distress through speakerphone, Craig reassures her: "We can endure this together. We will get through it, and I hope it will be soon when we are beyond these walls. Stay strong, my love."

The couple explains that they were on a motorcycling expedition from Europe to Australia when they entered Iran from Armenia, planning a brief stay. Lindsay was conducting interviews along their journey to explore what defines a "good life," intending to present her findings at a conference in Brisbane—a pursuit that seems to have drawn the attention of Iranian authorities.

Both acknowledged the Foreign Office's advisories against travel to Iran, but Lindsay stated, "Craig and I assessed the risks incorrectly, thinking innocent tourists wouldn’t end up imprisoned for such an extensive period with no evidence." Emphasizing personal accountability, she added, "I must accept the consequences of my decision."

She notes that the reality of incarceration is difficult for individuals who haven’t experienced imprisonment in Iran to fully comprehend.

'There will be an end for us at some point'

Lindsay initially spent 57 days in solitary confinement in Kerman, where Craig faced blindfolded interrogations, describing the experience as "horrific."

They were transferred to Tehran last July with the expectation of their release, only to find themselves detained at the notorious Evin prison—similarly known as the location where Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe endured her six years of imprisonment.

While both Lindsay and Craig assess the conditions of Evin as an improvement over solitary confinement, they still confront formidable challenges.

Craig observes, "Conditions aren’t sanitary, there is a lack of healthcare services, and numerous conflicts occur between inmates. It’s essential to avoid contact as there are homemade weapons and other dangers."

Both are acutely aware that many Iranians face harsher conditions than theirs. One of Lindsay's cellmates was sentenced to death due to her involvement in nationwide protests, which resulted in a deadly crackdown by the regime.

"It's terrifying," Lindsay remarks. "Recognizing my own position, I think how fortunate I am not to have grown up here. Eventually, there will be a resolution for us. However, for many of these individuals, that resolution may never materialize."

Since his transfer to Evin prison, Craig reports that four of his cellmates have been taken and executed, a fate he learned about through public broadcasts.

He reflects on their current predicament: "While we are in a dire situation, we have encountered remarkable individuals along this journey, offering us a unique perspective on the dualities of this country."