LONDON - The family of two British nationals detained in the Iranian city of Kerman said on Saturday they were engaging with relevant authorities to ensure their well-being and safe return home.
Iran's official news agency reported on Thursday the two British nationals, a man and a woman, were in custody on security-related charges. It published blurred images of the two meeting with the British ambassador but did not identify them.
The family of the two, in a statement released by the British Foreign Office, named them as Craig and Lindsay Foreman.
It was not clear when they were detained.
"This unexpected turn of events has caused significant concern for our entire family, and we are deeply focused on ensuring their safety and well-being during this trying time," the family said.
They said they were actively engaging with the British government and relevant authorities, and were "united in our determination to secure their safe return".
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of foreigners and dual nationals in recent years, mostly on espionage and security-related charges.
Human rights groups and some Western countries have accused the Islamic Republic of trying to win concessions from other countries through arrests on security charges that may have been trumped up. Tehran denies arresting people for political reasons.
Mr and Mrs Foreman were heading for Australia on their journey across the globe, the BBC reported.
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They had crossed into Iran from Armenia on 30 December and had planned to be in Pakistan by 4 January.
After staying in the cities of Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan, accompanied by a tour guide, they travelled on to Kerman, in east-central Iran, but never checked into their hotel there.
In a series of social media posts before they were detained, the couple described their joy at being in Iran.
Lindsay Foreman, a life coach with a doctorate in psychology, said she was "having an amazing time".
Her husband Craig, who is a carpenter, spoke of the "lovely people" of a "lovely country".
Mrs Foreman posted a picture of herself on 3 January meeting a cleric in the town of Isfahan. Writing on Instagram, she said: "Travel continues to teach me that humanity's core is shared: kindness, humility, and respect for one another."
On Facebook that day she wrote: "Despite differences in culture, language, and traditions, we've seen something beautifully universal: kindness, humour, hospitality - and a shared love of good food!"
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