Appeal for Parents Detained in Iran
The son of a British couple held in Iran for over a year is reaching out to President Trump, calling attention to the increasingly complex situation tied to the Iran war. Joe Bennett expressed his concerns during a recent Fox News interview.
“It’s no surprise that with the intricacies of war, things have sharply escalated in recent weeks,” Bennett said on Saturday.
He shared that Evin prison, where his parents are incarcerated, is already overcrowded, which has been worsened by a recent influx of protesters, creating dire conditions. “Food is dwindling,” he mentioned. “We’re anxious about whether they can get enough to eat. It’s described as ‘hell on earth’.”
Bennett also noted that current military actions are heightening anxiety for both his family and other detainees. “Bombs are falling, and what’s happening on the ground adds to our worries,” he added.
Craig Foreman and Lindsay Foreman were arrested in January 2025 while traveling on a motorcycle around the globe and subsequently sentenced to ten years for alleged espionage.
While attending the McCain Institute’s US-UK Conference on Hostage Taking in Washington, Bennett criticized British leaders for their lack of response, particularly pointing out what he called Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s “non-existent” defense of his parents. He stressed that the British government should stop minimizing the situation, which he feels has been misrepresented as merely a consular issue.
“What we really need from the British government and Mr. Starmer is to acknowledge that this is more serious,” he emphasized. “It feels like they’ve overlooked the accusations of my parents being spies for Mossad and the subsequent ten-year sentence.”
Bennett continued to express disappointment over Starmer’s apparent silence. “We haven’t seen him take a stand since the judgment, condemning this sham trial. It feels like we’re reaching out, yet there’s little response.”
He described the situation as his parents being taken hostage, stating, “This is about more than just Britain; it impacts Western civilization as a whole.” Bennett expressed that innocent individuals are being exploited as bargaining chips in this complex political landscape.
Furthermore, he urged Trump to consider the safety of American and British citizens involved, asking the president to be clearer about military actions against Iran. “The last thing we need is for Evin to be caught up in that,” he quipped.
He made a heartfelt appeal, saying, “We’re asking for your help in releasing my mother.” Overall, Bennett’s words reflect profound concern for his family amid escalating tensions.
