British couple jailed in Iran end hunger strike after several months, family says

A British couple jailed in Iran over alleged spying have ended a three-month-long hunger strike against their sentence, their son has said.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman were handed a 10-year prison sentence in February after being convicted of espionage, which they both deny.

The pair's family previously claimed they were not permitted to attend their appeal hearing, and were left with no other options except for "starving themselves in protest".

Their son Joe Bennett said that they had ended their strike in Iran on Sunday. Mr Foreman had protested for 93 days, while Ms Foreman had gone without food for 84 days.

The couple were jailed following their arrest in January 2025 while travelling through Iran during a round-the-world trip by motorcycle.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Bennett said the couple's hunger strike was an "act of defiance" and their "only agency to rebel" in a bid to highlight the "injustice" that they themselves feel they are facing, along with what they've reportedly "seen happening to other people" in Iran and in prison.

The family joined the pair in a five-day fast towards the end of their hunger strike, with Ms Foreman giving them a word to reflect on each day - truth, justice, kindness, peace and unity.

Mr Bennett said the couple ate on Sunday, adding: "I know that they were struggling.

"The five-day water fast at the end of their 90 days was a real hardship on their bodies. I know that my mum had very, very low blood sugar. She was in hospital.

"They met yesterday for about three hours. They ate together, and we heard after eating both of them sort of bounced back.

"But it's going to be a bit of an adjustment period, putting your body through so much, such an intense period of time, to now recover from that is, you know, it's going to be difficult."

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According to the family, Mr Foreman first refused food in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison on 9 May, while Ms Foreman joined her husband on 18 May.

They have pleaded with the Iranian authorities for the couple to be "shown mercy and allowed to come home", and urged the British Ambassador to Tehran, Hugo Shorter, to intervene.

They also previously called on the UK government to facilitate a prisoner swap with Iranian Richard Jan - dubbed the UK's "worst stalker".

The family previously said that both Mr and Ms Foreman have lost a significant amount of weight, while all communication has been cut off by Iranian authorities.

It comes after reports emerged in July that Mr Foreman was handed an extended sentence - two further years "because he had spoken to the press", according to Mr Bennett.

The family's legal team said at the time that the two-year sentence will be added to the formal complaint submitted to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on the Foremans' behalf.

It is hoped phone calls between the family and the couple will be reinstated following the end of the hunger strike.

Mr Bennett said he last spoke to his mum about three months ago and a "little bit less" with Mr Foreman.

He said the lack of communication had been a real "worry", adding: "Especially with the no contact, you don't know truly how they are, what's going on, what they're experiencing, what they're being put through.

"And it wreaks havoc on your mind, it really does."

Mr Bennett said family and friends "felt this sense of relief" now that the couple have eaten.

He added: "These small wins that we have along the way, we have to celebrate."

Mr Bennett said the fight goes on and the family will not rest until the Foremans are home.

He added: "I feel like we have had the reset we need. The news that come out has given us a new burst of energy, because we know that they're looking after themselves properly."

(c) Sky News 2026: British couple jailed in Iran end hunger strike after several months, family says