Son of British Couple Jailed in Iran Appeals to Trump as War Complicates Situation

The son of a British couple imprisoned in Iran for over a year is making a desperate appeal to President Donald Trump, warning that escalating regional conflicts have dramatically worsened his parents’ already dire situation.

Joe Bennett described the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran, where his parents Craig and Lindsay Foreman are being held, as “hell on Earth.” Speaking to Fox News on Saturday, Bennett painted a grim picture of deteriorating conditions.

“Conditions have intensified over the last couple of weeks, to say the least, as you might imagine with the complexity of war,” Bennett said. “Food is scarce. We’re worried about the replenishment of their stocks of food. It’s unsanitary conditions.”

The prison, already at capacity before recent events, has become severely overcrowded due to an influx of protesters. “With the bombs that are dropping and the activity that’s happening there at the moment, the anxiety is heightened for us and for them as well,” Bennett added.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested in January 2025 while on a global motorcycling trip. Iranian authorities later sentenced them to 10 years in prison on espionage charges, claiming they were spies for Israeli Mossad and the British government.

Bennett recently spoke at the McCain Institute’s US-UK Transatlantic Conference on Hostage-Taking and Arbitrary Detention in Washington, D.C., where he criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for what he described as “non-existent” advocacy for his parents.

“The clear message to the U.K. government and Starmer is to stop hiding behind this as a consular case,” Bennett told Fox News. “We haven’t seen leadership qualities from Keir Starmer. We haven’t seen him advocate since their sentencing to condemn this sham process and the treatment of U.K. nationals.”

This perceived silence has left Bennett’s family feeling “let down,” he explained. “We feel there’s an opportunity to do so and there still is.”

In his appeal to Trump, Bennett stressed two points. “Firstly, safety is important,” he said, noting that missiles had previously hit Evin Prison in June last year. “I just want him to be concise so that Evin isn’t a part of that.” His second request was simple: “Don’t forget that they are there.”

Bennett emphasized that his parents’ case is not isolated. “This is hostage taking,” he said. “It affects not just the U.K., the U.S. as well and Western civilization. Innocent people are being targeted for leverage as political pawns.”

The situation has broader implications for international relations, as Iran has been accused of using foreign nationals as bargaining chips in diplomatic negotiations. Bennett noted that U.S. nationals are also imprisoned at Evin alongside his parents.

The prison has long been criticized by human rights organizations for its harsh conditions and mistreatment of prisoners. Often used to hold political prisoners and those with Western ties, Evin has become emblematic of Iran’s approach to detaining foreign nationals and government critics.

As tensions between Iran and Western nations continue to escalate, families like Bennett’s remain caught in the crossfire of geopolitical conflicts. His appeal underscores the human cost of international disputes and the vulnerability of civilians.

“As a humanitarian plea, from a son for his mother’s release is what I’m asking for,” Bennett concluded.