Well this is true. They entered as tourists and then interviewed people for her research project. They gathered information to share at a seminar with others.
They are intelligent middle aged people who acted in a foolish and stupid way. They ignored advice from the foreign office and friends and family not to travel there and admit that online. They knew best (obviously incorrect).
Of course there are lovely people in Iran, as there are in Russia, North Korea and Gaza but would you go there on jollies and interview people. The government aren't nice, that's what is relevant here. Thinking skills might have made them realise that.
They remind me of what some refer to as 'useful idiots' on the marches for Gaza, the ones that shout 'intifada revolution ' sing along to 'from the river to the sea' or chant encouraging the Houthis to hold back the boats. Similar dippy mindset. All logic flies out the window and unable to use realism and fact. Most fail to understand that Hamas and other terrorists like the Houthis and ISIS etc love these types, even if they might throw them off a building or behead them.
I don't want them to be harmed. Maybe the Iranian authorities will realise they are a bit delusional and release them quickly and send them on.their happy clappy way. Hopefully, no prisoners will need to be released to get these arrogant foolish people back. I feel for their poor families whom they ignored.