Two British tourists detained in Iran as they motorbiked across the world have been charged with espionage, according to the Iranian Judiciary News Agency.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who are in their early 50s, were arrested in January on unspecified security charges.
The news was first released by state-run media who said they were being held custody in Kerman.
They published an image of the couple – with their faces blurred – meeting Hugo Shorter, the British ambassador.
Mr Foreman, a carpenter, and Dr Foreman, a life coach, crossed into Iran from Armenia on December 30 and their plan was to leave the country by January 4 on their way to Australia.
After crossing into Iran they stayed in Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan. But they never reached their next hotel in Kerman.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the family of Craig and Lindsay Foreman said their arrest had ’caused significant concern’ and that they were ‘united in our determination to secure their safe return’.
They said: ‘We would like to take this opportunity to address the distressing situation concerning Craig and Lindsay Foreman who are currently being detained in Kerman, Iran.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow.