The family of a Canadian woman who vanished during a trip to Iran 18 months ago with her partner have told how they are being detained by state security forces.

Behnoush Bahraminia, 35, and her partner Mathew Safari disappeared during a visit to the country to investigate buying a home there.

The couple both have dual Canadian-Iranian nationality, according to local media.

But Behnoush’s father Amir Bahraminia had told independent media he believes the couple are being held by Tehran’s security officials.

The family say they have not heard from the pair since they landed in Iran on 6th November 2021.

The couple were reportedly planning to head to Iran’s Kish Island in the Persian Gulf as they were thinking of buying a house.

Thanks to its status as a free trade zone, the island has numerous malls, shopping centres, tourist attractions, and resort hotels.

Behnoush lived in Greater Vancouver and her partner Safari is from Port Moody, in British Columbia, according to independent media.

Behnoush’s family in Canada said two unnamed security sources had told them that the couple had been arrested on “security” charges.

They have since asked the Canadian government for help, with the foreign ministry saying they were aware of the situation and were gathering information.