Contact Cut Off With British Couple Detained in Iran

The family of a British couple detained in Iran said contact has been cut off for more than a week. The family stated they are gravely concerned for the couple's wellbeing. The couple from East Sussex were detained by Iranian authorities on suspicion of espionage in January 2025 while on a round-the-world motorcycle trip.

They deny the charges. The family said the couple's phone access was cut off in early May. The family added that this followed a media interview the couple gave that month. A son of the woman told reporters that the family does not know if the couple are safe.

He said that prior to the cutoff one of the pair had warned that they might stop eating if calls were taken away. The family said they had not spoken to the woman for more than a week. They added that every day of silence makes the situation worse and that they are terrified for the couple.

The family said the couple felt abandoned with no other way to make their voices heard. They reported being told the pair could be placed in solitary confinement and barred from seeing each other. In November 2025 the couple began a hunger strike. The family said that action ended after they received written assurances the pair would be allowed to see each other and contact family members.

Those assurances have now been broken, according to the family. They said they are unsure whether a new hunger strike has begun.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said Britain's ambassador to Tehran, diplomats and officials in London have been working to provide consular assistance. This has included the ambassador visiting the couple in prison and facilitating calls with family in the UK.

A spokesperson said the Foreign Secretary last met the family on 17 March. The spokesperson added that the Foreign Secretary set out how unjustified and appalling the UK government considers the couple's incarceration to be and the actions being taken to secure their release.

The spokesperson said the government will continue working to ensure the couple are returned safely to the UK.