A motorcycle rally has travelled from the south coast to London to mark 614 days since British travellers Lindsay and Craig Foreman were detained in Iran.
The demonstration, held on 9 September 2026, saw a convoy of riders travel from Hastings in East Sussex to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in Whitehall. The event was organised to draw international attention to the couple’s ongoing imprisonment and to urge the UK government to intensify negotiations for their release.
The Foremans, who are residents of East Sussex, were detained in early 2025 while passing through Iran as part of a long-distance overland motorcycle tour. Their families maintain they were legitimate tourists, though Iranian state media has previously suggested the pair were held over alleged visa irregularities. No formal charges have been publicly confirmed by the Iranian judiciary.
A world tour interrupted
The couple had been documenting their global journey online before their travel came to an abrupt halt approximately 614 days ago, around 3 January 2025. Since their arrest, they have been held in a prison in Tehran, widely reported to be the Evin facility, which is frequently used to house foreign nationals and political prisoners.
The motorcycle rally today was designed to reflect the couple’s passion for travel and the community they belong to. Supporters gathered in Hastings on Monday morning before riding to the capital to deliver a message to the Foreign Secretary. The campaign group behind the ride stated that the 614-day milestone represents a “harrowing” length of time for a couple they describe as innocent adventurers.
Official travel warnings
The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Iran, warning that British nationals and British-Iranian dual nationals face a high risk of arbitrary arrest and detention. Consular assistance remains severely limited due to the lack of formal diplomatic representation at the ambassadorial level in Tehran.
A spokesperson for the FCDO has previously stated that the department is “supporting the families of two British nationals detained in Iran” and remains in contact with Iranian authorities. However, the UK government’s ability to intervene is often restricted by Iran’s refusal to recognise dual nationality or provide regular access to foreign prisoners.
The health and current condition of the Foremans have not been independently verified since their detention began. Their families continue to call for their immediate release, asserting that the couple has been caught up in wider geopolitical tensions between London and Tehran.
