Marking the three-year anniversary of the arrest of a U.S. citizen in Iran, the State Department called upon the Islamic government to release all Americans detained by the nation.
“The United States remains committed to returning all of them to their families, friends and loved ones,” the agency said in a press release.
Friday marks the third anniversary since Amir Hekmati was arrested on espionage charges. The U.S. government has stated that the charges are false and that Mr. Hekmati traveled to Iran to visit family.
The agency also called for the release of Saeed Abedini, a Christian pastor supposedly arrested due to his religious beliefs; and Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter. Mr. Rezaian’s wife, Yeganeh Salehi, is a writer for a Middle Eastern paper and is also being held.
And the State Department called on Iran to help “find” Robert Levinson, who went missing near Iran’s Kish Island. It has been widely reported that Iran arrested Mr. Levinson, accusing him of being a spy. He is currently one of the longest-held Americans in U.S. history.
• Phillip Swarts can be reached at pswarts@washingtontimes.com.
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