Couple held in Iran

What a pair of dicks

You can just imagine them on Lorraine, all wide eyed and serious, and Lorraine saying "yous must have been really really SCARED"..

They're idiots, they knew the risks and ignored them. They should be left there without help and funding from the uk.

I have a friend from Iran who would love to go back to see the country and family, she won't though as she knows the risks.

They will eventually be released even if that is after a few years.

They are idiots. But maybe not. Might be after a book deal and TV appearances.

The Iranian state isn’t ‘good and kind’ to its citizens, but they thought the regime would be nice to Lindsay and Craig from england. It’s privileged thinking when the authorities imprison so many people for nothing.

Pretty dumb thing to do. You go motor cycling around Europe. Not fucking Iran

This ⬆️ x 💯

The Foreign Office advise against travel to certain regions in Pakistan which unfortunately have regular terrorist attacks (rarely reported in the western media as they are so frequent).
Pakistan is a beautiful country with wonderful people and the authorities do not detain foreigners for no reason.

Imagine the photos won’t have helped. They don’t come across as very respectful.

Plus, one of the news reports says they’d said on their social media they were having to use a vpn, in order to post on social media while there. Pretty sure that’s illegal so why advertise it publicly? It’s like taunting the authorities. Why post anything while there if only planning to be there for a few days?

In another of the photos, she has her hand on what looks like a bottle of beer. Even if taken in a neighbouring Islamic country (she had her head covered), I imagine that won’t have gone down well. Apparent shocking lack of cultural awareness.

This exactly. Tajikistan is totally different and terrorist attacks happen anywhere but are very unusual there. And Tajikistan has done more than pretty much any other country in the region to reduce risk of terrorism (really huge crack down, even older men with long beards having beards cut off - all sorts of initiatives)- and it's bloody amazing and locals are absolutely fantastic. I spent a month out there last year and even along the Afghan border and especially Pamir it's safe (a section where you used to go into Afghanistan to Saturday markets has closed though). Local Pamir villages and home stays were a joy to meet people in. No comparison to Iran and I several months out in the region nearby including meeting people before and after they overlanded through Iran from Armenian border, and meeting backpackers and cyclists who had been through Iran.

Hmm, all this wide-eyed wonder and awe at the beauty of humanity...I'm afraid it smacks of hubris and arrogance. It's as if they've said to themselves, " We are just lovely people, seeking out the beauty of humanity in Mankind...everyone will be completely BEGUILED by our love of life and their countries and people...we are above the rest of everyone because they will ALL see the innocent love we have for humankind. So WE are safe, where other, less beautiful, kind souls than we, will be scooped up into the ugliness of political regimes"..etc.

Also, I'm surprised these people, who have such an unwavering belief in the goodness of people can go to a place that treats women so atrociously?

If you read the BBC account, they had been with a tour guide but it would appear the leg of the journey they were on, wasn’t with a tour guide.

Never a missed moment to show your resentment. So embarrassing.

As for the couple detained the UK should not spend a penny on this. They should deal with the consequences of their own actions.

I've noticed a few youtube vloggers there recently. Men, of course. It annoyed me how sone of them acted like the media make up how bad it is there and oh look there's a woman on the street they are not all hidden away! eyeroll

As for this couple, absolute selfish fools.

I think they are stupid but I wouldn't wish what's happening on them. It may be many years before they leave.

They're clearly idiots but I do feel a tiny bit sorry for them.
I know it won't happen but I would like the Foreign Office to Bill them for their services.

Yes they were.

You sound unbelievably ignorant. Do you think women in Iran don’t smile? Iranian women are far from quiet and passive like you try to depict. Iranian women are among the most highly educated in the world and express their opinions freely and loudly. Have you not seen the footage of the of the woman, life, freedom protests?

They’re much less “covered up” than women in many other Muslim countries, despite the draconian laws because it isn’t part of their culture. It’s extremely common to see women without a hijab walking around in Iran. Those who wear it generally have it loosely draped over the back of their heads exposing their hair at the front. They love fashion and wear vibrant colours.

Please educate yourself before trying to promote tired stereotypes.

They said "we know the risks" and they went anyway. Utter insanity. But then I also have little sympathy for all these people that raise money for medical treatment abroad when they didn't take out travel insurance.

They weren’t with a tour guide, if it’s so safe why is it recommended not to go? I wonder 🤔

Thousands of British-Iranians and Western tourists travel to Iran each year. You only hear about the ones where there’s a problem. It’s possible something can go wrong but the odds are slim, especially with a tour guide. They were very unlucky.

Is Afghanistan also on the banned list? Maybe they could pop over there if/when Iran's done with them. She could teach the Taliban some contemplative visualization strategies or something.

After Nazanin why anyone would visit Iran is beyond me. No sympathy and I hope political capital isn't wasted rescuing these idiots.

What it means to be human. As opposed to what? As if the poor Iranians weren't suffering enough, now their stuck with this twit.