Couple held in Iran

[StrawDonkey]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c626p6pz7xlo

AIBU to not understand why anyone would go on a motorcycle trip to Iran? Advice is not to go there at all but I can understand that someone desperate to see family would take a risk.

Well, it sounds very much as if she was completely aware of all the warnings.
I do think that some people, brought up in Western democracies, with all the rights, protection and privilege, still don't understand what it's like elsewhere and think that because they're nice, it'll be ok.

She’s so irritating that I’m sure we’ll get her back quickly.

Comment of the thread 🤣🤣🤣

Can’t wait for the breakfast tv tour and book tour 🙄

No. I don't look at instagram.
Nor do I use the word "super" to mean very.
I also understand that the word persuade does not mean coerce.
Whether she was enthusiastic on social media or not does not mean the trip was not thought up or encouraged by her husband.
I am not saying that men have cornered the market in stupidity. Far from it!

Erm..she's literally just smiling? I think they're idiots for what they've done too but you're being unnecessarily nasty.

Wow what a charmer you are. Hope you have a good morning in the smart ass corner of your world.

Of course people are good all over the world. There so much more goodness and love than hate. However that is not reason alone to travel to a country to meet people where you have been advised not to go.

There are plenty of Iranian people you can talk to in the UK that will tell you of the beauty, culture and gosh you can't describe how wonderful a place Iran is - but it's not somewhere to travel now sadly.

@Mittens67

Mrs Foreman is reported to have been carrying out a research project on their journey to Australia, asking people what it means to be human and what constitutes a good life.
She was due to present her findings at a conference on positive psychology in Brisbane in July.

RTFT - I quoted it earlier, it's also in the link that is contained in the original post.

I wouldn't touch iran but I didn't realise Pakistan was also unsafe

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Yes they were.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.