Joe Bennett, the son of a British couple imprisoned in Iran, says his parents are enduring worsening conditions inside Tehran's Evin Prison as conflict in the region intensifies. Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested in January 2025 during a global motorcycling trip and later sentenced to ten years in prison on espionage charges following what Bennett describes as a 'sham trial.' He says overcrowding, food shortages, and unsanitary conditions have made the prison 'hell on Earth,' with fears growing as nearby military strikes heighten tensions.

Speaking in Washington, Bennett criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for what he called a lack of leadership and advocacy since his parents were sentenced. He urged the United Kingdom government to treat the case as hostage-taking rather than a routine consular matter, arguing that innocent people are being used as political leverage.

Bennett also appealed directly to President Donald Trump, asking him to ensure the prison is not struck in military operations and to remember that British and United States nationals remain detained there. Calling it a humanitarian plea, he said his primary goal is securing his mother's release and ensuring the safety of all those imprisoned at Evin.