Page 2 | Son raises concerns for parents detained in Iran

Original poster

Ihatetomatoes · 19/02/2026 15:32

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 14:54

I actually know Joe (the son) and the parents are actually extremely kind souls. They tried to do charity out there too, to help others. They are not entitled, middle class twerps etc. Yes, they perhaps didn’t really understand the severity but look how many people fly to Egypt despite the warnings there. I bet you all wouldn’t comment on this taking their family there in such a horrible manner. Or perhaps you would behind a phone screen.

Disgusting comments and I hope something like this happens to your families so that you know the pain. In any event, his instagram is public so feel free to write these comments on his page and watch the backlash you get. Of course you won’t though, enjoy hiding behind your phones you low lives. Go get a job or something rather than commenting on people’s lives that you know NOTHING about.

Its a newspaper story. People are allowed to comment on what appears as frankly silly irresponsible behaviour. I feel for their son.

Egypt is not comparable to Iran where they are literally slaughtering their own citizens in their thousands for protesting.

Wishing others ignore travel advice and go to Iran and end up like them is fairly silly too. Most people don't have Iran listed as a tourist destination, so won't be jumping on a motorbike and going there. Too grown up and sensible for that. I don't have Instagram. I wish them no harm but can still see they were foolish.

PS I work and am not expecting the government to help me escape self inflicted foolish behaviour 😳

OP posts:

annonymousse · 19/02/2026 15:33

I don't wish them any harm but for heavens sake what a ridiculously stupid thing they did. I have zero sympathy.

Original poster

Ihatetomatoes · 19/02/2026 15:35

Vinvertebrate · 19/02/2026 13:10

Mine too, and agree with every word.

And instead of showing some humility over the entirely avoidable FAFO clusterfuck they have triggered, LF was doubling down on her decision to pursue some harebrained global happiness project by swanning into an Islamofascist dictatorship on a bloody motorbike. Something tells me the mullahs won’t exactly be shitting themselves over the fact that Yvette is Very Cross about it.

And if the rumours about Trump are true, Tehran is about to get a whole lot spicier. I am saving my sympathy for innocent Iranian citizens, like my SIL.

Show quote history

Best wishes to your SIL. I hope Iran improves for everyone living there 🙏

OP posts:

LightningMode · 19/02/2026 15:38

Couple plan trip via Iran. Couple are told by multiple people (and post on Instragram that they have been) not to go through Iran, because of the danger of being arrested and thrown in jail.

Couple go through Iran anyway. Couple are arrested and thrown in jail.

Absolute fuckwits.

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 15:51

I know many people who go to “red countries” such as Sudan, Syria, Congo etc for charity purposes. Also Jordan, which I know people attend and in fact a friend of mine is currently there on their “gap year”. The UK also advises against areas of Egypt, my point being, is that the UK gives advice not to travel places but there are MANY people who chose to for charity reasons etc. I would suppose that you’d support the release of those doing charity work, but those doing off their own accord (despite still doing some charity work), are morons and basically deserve it? Yes, they ignored advice as many others have. They are UK citizens and it is natural that family and friends would wish the government to help bring them back.

As I said I would LOVE to see half of you comment on a public forum, with your actual names on there, the comments you are leaving on here as I bet you wouldn’t. Keep hiding behind your phone screens, cowards

I’ve informed Joe of this post too so let’s see how long it will be until people’s comments are being put online and watch you being slated. Wonder how many will own up to it 😂

Original poster

Ihatetomatoes · 19/02/2026 15:57

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 15:51

I know many people who go to “red countries” such as Sudan, Syria, Congo etc for charity purposes. Also Jordan, which I know people attend and in fact a friend of mine is currently there on their “gap year”. The UK also advises against areas of Egypt, my point being, is that the UK gives advice not to travel places but there are MANY people who chose to for charity reasons etc. I would suppose that you’d support the release of those doing charity work, but those doing off their own accord (despite still doing some charity work), are morons and basically deserve it? Yes, they ignored advice as many others have. They are UK citizens and it is natural that family and friends would wish the government to help bring them back.

As I said I would LOVE to see half of you comment on a public forum, with your actual names on there, the comments you are leaving on here as I bet you wouldn’t. Keep hiding behind your phone screens, cowards

I’ve informed Joe of this post too so let’s see how long it will be until people’s comments are being put online and watch you being slated. Wonder how many will own up to it 😂

People are allowed different opinions. It's not an echo chamber. Are you new to social media? Saying they were foolish to ignore advice isn't nasty, it's factual, they were foolish to ignore advice not to travel there.

No one wishes harm to them but many think they were foolish. There you go. Their friends and family might not think them foolish, that's up to them.

OP posts:

Cookingupmyfirstbornson · 19/02/2026 16:00

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 15:51

I know many people who go to “red countries” such as Sudan, Syria, Congo etc for charity purposes. Also Jordan, which I know people attend and in fact a friend of mine is currently there on their “gap year”. The UK also advises against areas of Egypt, my point being, is that the UK gives advice not to travel places but there are MANY people who chose to for charity reasons etc. I would suppose that you’d support the release of those doing charity work, but those doing off their own accord (despite still doing some charity work), are morons and basically deserve it? Yes, they ignored advice as many others have. They are UK citizens and it is natural that family and friends would wish the government to help bring them back.

As I said I would LOVE to see half of you comment on a public forum, with your actual names on there, the comments you are leaving on here as I bet you wouldn’t. Keep hiding behind your phone screens, cowards

I’ve informed Joe of this post too so let’s see how long it will be until people’s comments are being put online and watch you being slated. Wonder how many will own up to it 😂

Other people also doing stupid things doesnt make what they did any cleverer does it? And don't even try to claim they were out there doing charedeeeee work. I feel bad for Joe, ain't his fault his parents are gonads.

quantumbutterfly · 19/02/2026 16:01

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 15:51

I know many people who go to “red countries” such as Sudan, Syria, Congo etc for charity purposes. Also Jordan, which I know people attend and in fact a friend of mine is currently there on their “gap year”. The UK also advises against areas of Egypt, my point being, is that the UK gives advice not to travel places but there are MANY people who chose to for charity reasons etc. I would suppose that you’d support the release of those doing charity work, but those doing off their own accord (despite still doing some charity work), are morons and basically deserve it? Yes, they ignored advice as many others have. They are UK citizens and it is natural that family and friends would wish the government to help bring them back.

As I said I would LOVE to see half of you comment on a public forum, with your actual names on there, the comments you are leaving on here as I bet you wouldn’t. Keep hiding behind your phone screens, cowards

I’ve informed Joe of this post too so let’s see how long it will be until people’s comments are being put online and watch you being slated. Wonder how many will own up to it 😂

You are hiding your vitriol behind anonymity.

Original poster

Ihatetomatoes · 19/02/2026 16:03

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 15:51

I know many people who go to “red countries” such as Sudan, Syria, Congo etc for charity purposes. Also Jordan, which I know people attend and in fact a friend of mine is currently there on their “gap year”. The UK also advises against areas of Egypt, my point being, is that the UK gives advice not to travel places but there are MANY people who chose to for charity reasons etc. I would suppose that you’d support the release of those doing charity work, but those doing off their own accord (despite still doing some charity work), are morons and basically deserve it? Yes, they ignored advice as many others have. They are UK citizens and it is natural that family and friends would wish the government to help bring them back.

As I said I would LOVE to see half of you comment on a public forum, with your actual names on there, the comments you are leaving on here as I bet you wouldn’t. Keep hiding behind your phone screens, cowards

I’ve informed Joe of this post too so let’s see how long it will be until people’s comments are being put online and watch you being slated. Wonder how many will own up to it 😂

OK Anonymous poster. People here are generally saying they wouldn't wish harm on them but they were foolish or silly or irresponsible ignoring advice not to go. A mere handful of people.

You might want to take a look at the over 1300 comments, much harsher, about the couple's behaviour on other sites.

Eg

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15573249/amp/British-couple-held-Iran-given-totally-unjustifiable-10-year-jail-sentence-spying.html

Iran jails British round-the-world couple for 10 years for 'spying'

Lindsay and Craig Foreman were arrested in January 2025 while travelling through the country on an around-the-world motorcycle journey, and were detained on charges of espionage.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15573249/amp/British-couple-held-Iran-given-totally-unjustifiable-10-year-jail-sentence-spying.html

OP posts:

Terrribletwos · 19/02/2026 16:08

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 14:54

I actually know Joe (the son) and the parents are actually extremely kind souls. They tried to do charity out there too, to help others. They are not entitled, middle class twerps etc. Yes, they perhaps didn’t really understand the severity but look how many people fly to Egypt despite the warnings there. I bet you all wouldn’t comment on this taking their family there in such a horrible manner. Or perhaps you would behind a phone screen.

Disgusting comments and I hope something like this happens to your families so that you know the pain. In any event, his instagram is public so feel free to write these comments on his page and watch the backlash you get. Of course you won’t though, enjoy hiding behind your phones you low lives. Go get a job or something rather than commenting on people’s lives that you know NOTHING about.

What particular charity work did they need to do? Who told them about the charity work and were they given information about the work? It sounds a bit suss. Why would you choose a particular country and why choose Iran?

Vinvertebrate · 19/02/2026 16:09

The fact that your friend is on a gap yah in Jordan is neither here nor there. It is not comparable to Iran any more than Egypt was. Advice:

Egypt - avoid the Libyan border, holiday spots are fine.

Jordan - avoid the Syrian border, everywhere else is fine.

Iran - don’t do it, you risk arbitrary arrest and prison.

This is really not complicated. It’s not a secret that Iran has been run by Islamofascists for nearly half a century. They’ve just executed tens of thousands of their own citizens on the streets in cold blood.

WallaceinAnderland · 19/02/2026 16:09

I was very surprised to read this:

'British-Iranian citizens Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori were released in 2022 and allowed to leave Iran after the UK settled a long-standing £650m debt owed to Tehran.'

£650m 😮

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 19/02/2026 16:14

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 14:54

I actually know Joe (the son) and the parents are actually extremely kind souls. They tried to do charity out there too, to help others. They are not entitled, middle class twerps etc. Yes, they perhaps didn’t really understand the severity but look how many people fly to Egypt despite the warnings there. I bet you all wouldn’t comment on this taking their family there in such a horrible manner. Or perhaps you would behind a phone screen.

Disgusting comments and I hope something like this happens to your families so that you know the pain. In any event, his instagram is public so feel free to write these comments on his page and watch the backlash you get. Of course you won’t though, enjoy hiding behind your phones you low lives. Go get a job or something rather than commenting on people’s lives that you know NOTHING about.

Some of us have specifically acknowledged that this is very hard for the family and for the individuals concerned. And I do understand you feeling defensive if you happen to be close to them. But honestly, saying that they didn't understand the severity is not really an excuse, is it? I assume that they wouldn't have been completely incapable of doing some basic research?

Calling people "low lives" for raising perfectly reasonable criticisms of this couple is not particularly constructive. People are entitled to their opinions.

And no, I'm not going to go and post my thoughts on his Instagram, as I have no wish to kick someone when they're already down. But I am free to express my thoughts on a public forum, as you are. Even if you don't like those thoughts.

GoBazGo · 19/02/2026 16:19

What kind of charity work can they realistically expect to do whilst stopping off on a round the world motorbike tour in Iran? Do they speak fluent Farsi? Have local or international connections to an NGO/recognised charity and or journalist connections? Even if you are a medic you can’t just turn up to a country in civil conflict and start administering medical care like some sort of saviour.
What a couple of entitled, deluded idiots on a mid-life adventure (probably bored of their comfortable life).

CloudPop · 19/02/2026 16:23

@countrymama94did Joe think it was a sensible move for his folks to go to Iran ?

Terrribletwos · 19/02/2026 16:36

GoBazGo · 19/02/2026 16:19

What kind of charity work can they realistically expect to do whilst stopping off on a round the world motorbike tour in Iran? Do they speak fluent Farsi? Have local or international connections to an NGO/recognised charity and or journalist connections? Even if you are a medic you can’t just turn up to a country in civil conflict and start administering medical care like some sort of saviour.
What a couple of entitled, deluded idiots on a mid-life adventure (probably bored of their comfortable life).

Agree. I really don't understand this going to other countries to help out or do charity work when the people doing it have actually no knowledge of the country or how it operates. In this case, I would say it sounds like virtue signalling but wanting to be "out there" in doing so.

stargirl27 · 19/02/2026 16:43

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 14:54

I actually know Joe (the son) and the parents are actually extremely kind souls. They tried to do charity out there too, to help others. They are not entitled, middle class twerps etc. Yes, they perhaps didn’t really understand the severity but look how many people fly to Egypt despite the warnings there. I bet you all wouldn’t comment on this taking their family there in such a horrible manner. Or perhaps you would behind a phone screen.

Disgusting comments and I hope something like this happens to your families so that you know the pain. In any event, his instagram is public so feel free to write these comments on his page and watch the backlash you get. Of course you won’t though, enjoy hiding behind your phones you low lives. Go get a job or something rather than commenting on people’s lives that you know NOTHING about.

What's his instagram handle?

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 19/02/2026 16:47

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 15:51

I know many people who go to “red countries” such as Sudan, Syria, Congo etc for charity purposes. Also Jordan, which I know people attend and in fact a friend of mine is currently there on their “gap year”. The UK also advises against areas of Egypt, my point being, is that the UK gives advice not to travel places but there are MANY people who chose to for charity reasons etc. I would suppose that you’d support the release of those doing charity work, but those doing off their own accord (despite still doing some charity work), are morons and basically deserve it? Yes, they ignored advice as many others have. They are UK citizens and it is natural that family and friends would wish the government to help bring them back.

As I said I would LOVE to see half of you comment on a public forum, with your actual names on there, the comments you are leaving on here as I bet you wouldn’t. Keep hiding behind your phone screens, cowards

I’ve informed Joe of this post too so let’s see how long it will be until people’s comments are being put online and watch you being slated. Wonder how many will own up to it 😂

Going under the umbrella of a charity that has established links in the country is totally different. Not risk free, but within a structure that brings protections like kidnap insurance etc. Organisations working with locals have a grasp of the level of risk and what needs to be done to minimise it that Mr and Mrs Well-Meaning simply don’t have.

And your attitude sucks, wishing ill on other people. Check your privilege. Others on this thread are directly affected by the situation in Iran. Take your keyboard warrior ways somewhere they are wanted.

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 19/02/2026 16:49

GoBazGo · 19/02/2026 16:19

What kind of charity work can they realistically expect to do whilst stopping off on a round the world motorbike tour in Iran? Do they speak fluent Farsi? Have local or international connections to an NGO/recognised charity and or journalist connections? Even if you are a medic you can’t just turn up to a country in civil conflict and start administering medical care like some sort of saviour.
What a couple of entitled, deluded idiots on a mid-life adventure (probably bored of their comfortable life).

I have serious doubts about people who are part of charitable organisations heading overseas in white saviour mode. Unless they have specific useful skills then it’s voluntourism.

Overtheatlantic · 19/02/2026 16:52

They might have been evangelical Christian types who wanted to go and convert Muslims in Iran? I dont know anything about them, but their little friend country mamma is writing some horrible things on this thread.

LightningMode · 19/02/2026 16:56

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 15:51

I know many people who go to “red countries” such as Sudan, Syria, Congo etc for charity purposes. Also Jordan, which I know people attend and in fact a friend of mine is currently there on their “gap year”. The UK also advises against areas of Egypt, my point being, is that the UK gives advice not to travel places but there are MANY people who chose to for charity reasons etc. I would suppose that you’d support the release of those doing charity work, but those doing off their own accord (despite still doing some charity work), are morons and basically deserve it? Yes, they ignored advice as many others have. They are UK citizens and it is natural that family and friends would wish the government to help bring them back.

As I said I would LOVE to see half of you comment on a public forum, with your actual names on there, the comments you are leaving on here as I bet you wouldn’t. Keep hiding behind your phone screens, cowards

I’ve informed Joe of this post too so let’s see how long it will be until people’s comments are being put online and watch you being slated. Wonder how many will own up to it 😂

Oh come off it. You post anonymously, whilst berating us for posting anonymously 🙄

This entitled, middle class couple were told, many times, not to go through Iran. She posted about that advice, and that they were going to ignore it, on her Instagram (soembody has made her account private now, but plenty of us saw it before it was closed to public view).

They thought that they, somehow, would be fine, because people are good and therefore they didn't need to follow the UK govt's advice. Turns out, some people aren't good, and all the lovely feelz in the world won't stop you being arrested and thrown into jail in Iran. Which you were specifically warned would probably happen if you went there.

Fuckwits.

RancidRuby · 19/02/2026 16:57

A pair of idiots fuck around and find out. I hope they can return home safely but this is a situation of their own making.

MotherTuckinGenius · 19/02/2026 17:11

I hope our government keep out of it and don’t offer money our country can’t afford to release this pair of entitled morons.

Nineandahalf · 19/02/2026 17:18

countrymama94 · 19/02/2026 15:51

I know many people who go to “red countries” such as Sudan, Syria, Congo etc for charity purposes. Also Jordan, which I know people attend and in fact a friend of mine is currently there on their “gap year”. The UK also advises against areas of Egypt, my point being, is that the UK gives advice not to travel places but there are MANY people who chose to for charity reasons etc. I would suppose that you’d support the release of those doing charity work, but those doing off their own accord (despite still doing some charity work), are morons and basically deserve it? Yes, they ignored advice as many others have. They are UK citizens and it is natural that family and friends would wish the government to help bring them back.

As I said I would LOVE to see half of you comment on a public forum, with your actual names on there, the comments you are leaving on here as I bet you wouldn’t. Keep hiding behind your phone screens, cowards

I’ve informed Joe of this post too so let’s see how long it will be until people’s comments are being put online and watch you being slated. Wonder how many will own up to it 😂

Wow - you informed him of an anonymous critical thread about his parents on the day his mum was sentenced? Like his day wasn't going badly enough. Some 'friend' you must be!

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 19/02/2026 17:27

Our posts are already online, in case you haven't noticed.

Going out of your way to alert this couple's son to perfectly legitimate criticism of his parents online seems unnecessarily unkind when he is presumably still trying to process the news about their sentence. Who needs enemies when they have friends like you?

That was to @countrymama94