Couple held in Iran

Honestly a stupid photo they posted with the caption 'Iran is not what you think!'.

Fools.

I am sure we all know wide-eyed naive fools who think because they are good people then everyone will approach them with goodness and kindness in their hearts. And think the rest of us are just cynical. But reading about the wife's apparent aim to collect stories from people and report on them at some conference has sent a chill down my spine. Iran are hyper paranoid about spies and journalists. They are unlikely to think 'Numpties- let's release them with a flea in their ear'. I hope they get out okay but I feel genuine anger that they have put themselves into this position and now have to be rescued.

There was a window of time about a decade ago when it was suddenly deemed safe to visit. It was brief though. I wish I'd investigated further. It looks breathtakingly beautiful but is alas somewhere completely off limits.

They're receiving Consular support, so I hope it works out well, but unfortunately it could be very difficult for them.

What I think what some people fail to realise is that, in places like Iran, being "respectful" and following "the rules" is not necessarily enough to avoid trouble. There's a lot of fear and paranoia and politics at play and it's easy to get caught up in it.

She looks like a 7 year old who has to pull a silly face everytime you take a photo.

She’s smiling.

@Simonjt

Scroll down to the photo that is captioned 'Hello Iran'. She is gurning which is not a suitable demeanour for a woman in Iran.

Photos of their time in Iran showed them on walking tours of the Tabriz Bazaar, the Tower of Silence.....

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14400895/amp/Captive-British-couple-Craig-Lindsay-Foremans-haunting-post-ignoring-advice-travel-Iran.html

It doesn't help that the FO advice is often over cautious though. There are so many cases where it gives an over the top sense of risk, that people start not to take it seriously,

I once read what the FO advice would be about travelling to England, using their same risk assessments. Most people would be put off, especially about going to London, if they took it seriously.

I predict Iran will probably soon conclude they're way, WAY too dim to be spies and send them back.

Yep. Going to Iran involved my first and only small group tour. I was so envious of my Dutch friend who was able to travel there independently. The hospitality is legendary, and it would have been amazing.

Fortunately, when I went, my tour involved a fair bit of free time and I was able to use it to wander around by myself, and make some wonderful connections with people. But I think not long after that, there was an insistence on being accompanied by a guide at all times.

I guess the problem when in your 50s is even just a few stressful years in a tough prison, with limited access to medical treatment, can pose much greater risks of inadequately treated life-threatening or debilitating ailments. Nazanin was late 30s when arrested.

The Foreign Office issues travel advice for a reason, if you choose to completely disregard it, you do so at your own risk. From what I’ve read, this couple had no reason to travel to Iran other than to publicise their travels

The late, great Joyce Grenfell would have excelled as main female character in a '50s type comedy in this scenario!

They were with a tour guide. Other countries visitors don’t need then, only US, UK and Canadian. But FCO advice is don’t go. Other countries have different advice for their nationals.

tour companies still offer tours for UK nationals and you can get specialist insurance. I’ve always wanted to go but should have gone 15 years ago…

So a woman smiling is now considered a possessed loon? Lovely.

I'm sure they aren't bad people , but if someone that stupid/naive can get a Phd , the UK needs to be looking at it's tertiary standards! And it was always going to be psychology or sociology. " It's amazing the things that unite us , the kindness humility and respect" Straight out of textbook 4. AND THEN " Oh why am in prison? I don't understand." You ask the nearest person standing on the street anywhere in the world and they will know. It's Iran!! Were they planning on popping into North Korea for a bit of sightseeing next?

“How I found humanity in Iran’s most notorious prison”

To the tune of £millions

Exactly this. They will in all liklihood be held on trumped up charges like "spying" until Iran can extract something they want from the British authorities.

Resentment for what?

With the wide-eyed, naive, innocent world view she seems to espouse, along with the leverage of a doctorate in Psychology, I would be very worried about any situation people found themselves in when taking advice from her. This world view could easily blind her to enacting appropriate safeguards.

Caveat: I don't know about how she implements her life-coach/psychology advice.

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall as they were arrested. Him standing there grinning like an idiot whilst she is prancing around making stupid faces whilst the Iranian forces stand there stoney faced!

Her - 'We love you guys! How about a hug.....'

Iranian - 'We are going to hang you by your ankles and feed you mouldy rice and water until we decide whether to give you a public flogging or a stoning!'

Husband - 'Oh I say chaps! That doesn't sound like much fun!'

Her (Giggling) - 'They're just joshing! Let's all hold hands and have a sing song about how lovely everyone is ..... tra la la la!'

Iranian - ' Stupid infidels! Prepare the electric shock machine....!'

.........

I object to the fact that people think the man is to blame and women can’t be as foolhardy and make their own decisions.

You can see the tour guide on instagram.

I also hope the people don't get into trouble.

She won't see the milk if human kidness in jail.

I take exception to the "middle class and middle age" labels that translate as slurs. I am both. I wouldn't do something as reckless as this and I understand people's annoyance but there is an inverted snobbery being weaved through this thread.