London, by Yiannis Haniotakis

A couple of British, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, are being held in Iran on charges of espionage, according to a news agency in the country. The two British are accused of “working with secret institutions related to hostile and Western countries”, which has caused tension in relations between Tehran and London.

Iranian state media reported last week that the couple was arrested in the southeastern city of Karman on security -related categories. According to Mizan, the two British were “watched in cooperation with security services and arrested”. The official announcement states that “they entered Iran under the guise of tourists and, under the guise of research work, have collected information in several provinces.”

The Iranian government also published a photo allegedly showing the couple meeting the UK ambassador to Iran, Hugo Shorter. In the photo, two people sit opposite the ambassador, but their faces are blurry, making their recognition impossible.

According to Lindsay Formman’s posts on social media, the couple traveled on a motorcycle around the world, with Australia as a final destination. This journey was part of a mission of promoting positive psychology. In December, Ms Forman had published that they were preparing to pass “one of the most difficult” parts of their journey, Iran and Pakistan. In January, he shared updates from their visit to the city of Isfahan, central Iran.

The British Foreign Ministry warns citizens to avoid traveling to Iran, citing the risk of “arrest, detention and death penalty”.

According to Sky News, a Forine Opeis spokesman said the United Kingdom “provides consular aid to two British nationals held in Iran” and is in contact with local authorities.