Motorcycling couple held in Iran.

[Polarbear]

Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested in January, but news of their detention emerged on Thursday when state-run Iranian media reported they were being held on unspecified security charges.

The couple, both aged 52, had been on a motorbike trip across the world, and had planned to be in Iran for only five days.

Wonderful, go round the world but who is so stupid to go into a country that hates the west and loves an opportunity to get one over on those nasty people. Do they really think they are untouchable?

I feel for them, I really do, and if you are going to do something like this there are always risks, but mitigate them. Lets not go through Iran or Afghanistan. Personally I wouldn't transverse Pakistan either but I have been there and survived |(somehow ).

I'd rather go through the southern ex USSR states than the anti western arab states.

Will Lammy get off his fat arse and help them? We'll see.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c626p6pz7xlo
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[doggone]

Itchy Boots went through there not long ago but being Dutch she got more of a free pass.
Not surprisingly she found local people falling over each other to be helpful and friendly, but the borders in and out were very chaotic.

Iran did seem more modern and western-looking than I expected with good roads and a lot of quite orderly traffic, large mall type developments with supermarkets etc.
I don't think they will be ill treated but could imagine they are being held as some kind of bargaining chip.

[Polarbear]

[Ste]

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Polarbear]

A politician opens his mouth before engaging brain (especially Boris), that's not news.

The salient point is you don't put yourself in a situation that can fuck your life up then expect a useless bunch of politicians to bail you out.
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[Easy-X]

Even "Lord Miles" got held for 6 months by the Taliban as a potential spy. Joe and Flo Schmoe don't stand a chance.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Polarbear]

Charged with spying.

Detained Britons charged with espionage in Iran

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c743jle3vkno
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[Easy-X]

[MarJay]

I was listening to a podcast the other day by an ex CIA analyst talking about Iran. Due to the 1953 coup that was orchestrated by the British government and performed by the CIA the Iranians have a pathological mistrust of the British. They have an absolutely unshakeable belief that everything bad is orchestrated by us, even if it’s not. This makes it an exceedingly dangerous place to visit as a British passport holder.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[doggone]

Probably even US citizens are less at risk (or maybe they fear ramifications of seizing them)
I watched first half of this can see it is an interesting country to visit.
He had a guide arranged in advance.

In Iran fuel is subsidised every car owner can claim 50 litres per month at about $0.016 per litre after that they have to pay $0.05 which is the cost without the sub

https://youtu.be/K9dohzrzCT4?si=WQfLHEsMn4KmqdkM

Before Islamic revolution Iran had good links with UK due to our oil companies working there, it was always rather amusing to see them all driving Hillman Hunters produced there at a time when had one ourselves from local dealer.
They were not a bad mid-range family car a small step up from Morris Marinas

[MarJay]

[doggone]

[MarJay]

[MaybeGuy]

They probably did something inherently dumb to give them an excuse. I've ridden through several middle eastern borders and they get their inspection mode glasses on the second they see a UK passport.

They'll search phones, cameras etc. if they have drones that alone is enough.

I doubt they'll give these details since they're the "victims" and the media seems to be on their side to stir up international relations, but my first impression without more details is its semi self inflicted
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[A100man]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c743jle3vkno

[doggone]

The best thing the media and their relatives could do is shut up about it and they'll be quietly released in due course.
Making it a high profile arrest is not going to help matters.
They aren't going to get beheaded for having a drone (which is quite likely explanation)

[Easy-X]

Spycraft can be as simple as asking a friend or relative to take some photos for you. "Oh, you're going to Iran, luv a photo of the airport..."
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Polarbear]

When I was in the Zaire during Mobutos rule you never ever took a camera out in Kinshasa airport because there were military planes there and you'd be arrested immediately. The fact the planes were so fucked they would probably never fly and were Korean war vintage mattered not one jot.

At least they had the decency to have 'No Photo' signs everywhere.

Point being it's such an easy thing to accuse someone of, especially nowadays with camera phones.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[MarJay]

It could also be as dumb as them using a VPN, as that is illegal in Iran.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.