A British couple imprisoned in Iran on espionage charges have lost their appeal, prompting the Foreign Office to summon Tehran’s ambassador for a formal protest. The case, which has drawn international scrutiny, underscores the escalating diplomatic tensions between the UK and Iran.
The couple, identified as 42-year-old Mark Jenkins and 39-year-old Sarah Thompson, were arrested in September 2023 while on holiday in Tehran. They were convicted in a closed trial in January on charges of espionage and collaborating with a hostile government. The verdict and subsequent appeal rejection have been condemned by human rights organisations as politically motivated.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the appeal loss as “deeply concerning” and announced that the Iranian ambassador had been summoned to the Foreign Office. “We urge the Iranian government to release them immediately on humanitarian grounds,” he said. “Their detention is arbitrary and unjust.”
The couple’s family has expressed devastation, with Thompson’s mother, Linda, stating, “Sarah and Mark are innocent. They were on a holiday. We urge the UK government to do everything possible to bring them home.”
Iran’s judiciary has defended the proceedings, claiming the couple received a fair trial. State media has accused the UK of interfering in Iran’s internal affairs. The case highlights the fragile state of UK-Iran relations, already strained over nuclear negotiations and regional conflicts.
Legal experts note that such cases often serve as leverage in broader geopolitical negotiations. “Iran uses dual nationals as bargaining chips,” said Dr. Amina Kazemi, a scholar of Iranian politics at the University of Oxford. “The UK must balance diplomatic engagement with a firm stance on human rights.”
The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Iran, citing the risk of arbitrary detention. For the Jenkins and Thompson families, the wait continues, each day a reminder of the precariousness of international justice.
