A BRITISH couple being held prisoner by the Iranian regime has been named.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both in their early 50s, were on a motorbike trip around the world when they were arrested by Iranian officials in January.

The pair hails from East Sussex, but had moved to southern Spain in 2019.

News that the couple – a carpenter and a life coach – were being held on unspecified charges emerged on Thursday, when it was reported by Iranian state-run media.

The regime released a blurred-out photo of the couple meeting the UK’s ambassador to Iran, and now their identities have been revealed.

The Foremans were making their way to Australia for the trip of a lifetime, and stopping off at various countries along the route.

They crossed into Iran from Armenia on December 30, with plans to reach Pakistan by January 4.

The pair stayed in hotel in the cities of Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan, accompanied by a tour guide.

They then travelled on to Kerman, a provincial capital in the centre of the country, but never made it to their booked hotel.

The couple had been documenting their travels on social media, and described their joy at being in Iran.

Shortly before being arrested, Lindsay said she was having “an amazing time”.

Craig had gushed over the “lovely people” they had encountered in the equally “lovely” country.

Lindsay posted a picture of herself on January 3 meeting a religious leader in the town of Isfahan.

The caption on Instagram said: “Travel continues to teach me that humanity’s core is shared: kindness, humility, and respect for one another.”

And on Facebook that same day she wrote: “Despite differences in culture, language, and traditions, we’ve seen something beautifully universal: kindness, humour, hospitality – and a shared love of good food!”

The Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Iran, warning of a “significant risk” of arrest, questioning or detention.

The ministry today released the following message on behalf of the family:

“We would like to take this opportunity to address the distressing situation concerning Craig and Lindsay Foreman who are currently being detained in Kerman, Iran.

“This unexpected turn of events has caused significant concern for our entire family, and we are deeply focused on ensuring their safety and well-being during this trying time.

“We are actively engaging with the British government and relevant authorities, working diligently to navigate the complexities of this matter. The family are united in our determination to secure their safe return.

“We truly appreciate the outpouring of support from friends, family, and the community, which has provided us with strength and encouragement as we face this ordeal.

“In light of the circumstances, we kindly ask for the utmost respect regarding our family’s privacy.

“The emotional burden of this situation weighs heavily on us, and we request that all media inquiries be directed to the FCDO as we manage this challenging chapter in our lives.”