Family of pair held in Iran urge government to help

The family of a British couple imprisoned in Iran amid ongoing attacks on the country have called for the UK government to aid their release over fears for their safety.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both 53 and from East Sussex, are being held in Tehran's Evin prison, having been sentenced to 10 years following espionage charges, which they deny.

A spokesperson for the Foreman's family said releasing them and other political prisoners was "not an obvious priority" for the UK government despite the conflict in the Middle East.

The Foreign Office has been approached for comment.

Strikes on Iran have continued after the death of the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a targeted attack on Saturday.

Joe Bennett, Lindsay Foreman's son, said: "They are in danger of being hit by stray explosions, being caught up in local skirmishes or even being shot.

"We implore our government and that of the US to make sure that their safety and welfare, along with all the other foreign nationals held in Iran, is a priority at this time."

Bennett, from Folkestone, said on Sunday the family had been in contact with the couple, adding they were once again in touch on Monday morning.

Attacks in Tehran and across the Middle East, including Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have continued after the begininng of "Operation Epic Fury" by the US and Israel on Saturday.

People from Kent, Surrey and Sussex stranded in Dubai have told the BBC of the "almighty booms" and falling shrapnel they have seen, as well as spotting drones hovering outside hotels.

Hannah Carter, from Eastbourne in East Sussex, who is currently staying near the Burj Khalifa on holiday in Dubai, said: "Shrapnel was falling from the sky - one landed two streets away from us."

She said they felt "scared" when the bangs were "near and big".

"A friend staying in another hotel has been made to sleep in the basement on mattresses, because it is safer there," she said.

Meanwhile, Joe Green, from Ash Vale in Surrey, who is also in the UAE, added: "We heard some explosions and saw drones flying past our hotel. It was very surreal."

Flights between Dubai and London Gatwick have been cancelled following the continuing attacks, which have also been reported in Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia.

Terry O'Dell, from Farnham in Surrey, said he was trying to work out how to get home after his family was told to evacuate from Dubai to neighbouring Oman.

More than 500 people have been killed in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

Iranian people living in the South East have said they have only briefly been able to contact loved ones living in the country.

Hiva, from East Sussex, who moved from Iran when she was 21, said internet blackouts had severely restricted contact with her family still there.

Now in her late 20s, she said: "Last night they called me and told me they were safe and alive, but that has been the only time I was able to speak to someone inside Iran. It's overwhelming and stressful."

The UK Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.

Emma, from Kent, was due to fly home from Dubai on Saturday but has been unable to leave as airspace across the Middle East remains closed.

She told BBC Radio Kent she had been having tea with friends when an "almighty boom" was heard and the building shook.

Everyone was told to run, and guests sheltered in the basement until it was safe, she said, adding that they had been rebooked into a different hotel.

A total of 102,000 Britons have registered their presence in the Middle East with the UK government.

Foreign Office sources said no evacuation was imminent but the government was preparing for potential scenarios if commercial flights remained grounded.

Residents and tourists in Dubai have been advised to stay indoors, while local authorities say safety measures are in place across the city.

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