International Courant
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — An Iranian-American journalist who as soon as labored for a U.S. government-funded broadcaster is believed to have been held by Iran for months, authorities stated Sunday. an Israeli assault on the nation.
The seize of Reza Valizadeh, which the U.S. State Division acknowledged to The Related Press, happened Iran celebrated the forty fifth anniversary of the takeover of the US embassy and Sunday’s hostage disaster. It additionally adopted Iranian Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who the day earlier than threatened each Israel and the US with “a crushing response” when long-range B-52 bombers reached the Center East in an try to discourage Tehran.
Valizadeh had labored for Radio Farda, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty station managed by the US Company for International Media. In February, he wrote on the social platform X that his family members had been arrested in an try to see him return to Iran.
In August, Valizadeh apparently posted two messages suggesting he had returned to Iran, regardless of Radio Farda being thought-about a hostile outlet by the Iranian theocracy.
“I arrived in Tehran on March 6, 2024. Earlier than that, I had unfinished negotiations with the intelligence division (of the Revolutionary Guards),” the message learn partly. “I lastly got here again to my nation after 13 years with none safety assure, not even verbal.”
Valizadeh added the identify of a person he stated belonged to Iran’s Intelligence Ministry. The AP couldn’t confirm whether or not the individual labored for the ministry.
There have been rumors for weeks that Valizadeh has been arrested. The Human Rights Activists Information Company, which tracks circumstances in Iran, stated he was detained upon arrival within the nation earlier this 12 months however later launched.
He was then arrested once more and despatched to Evin Jail, the place he now faces a case earlier than Iran’s Revolutionary Court docket, which routinely holds closed-door hearings during which suspects are offered with secret proof, the company reported. Valizadeh was additionally arrested in 2007, the report stated.
The State Division instructed the AP it was “conscious of stories that this twin U.S.-Iranian citizen has been arrested in Iran” when requested about Valizadeh.
“We’re working with our Swiss companions, who function the protective drive for the US in Iran, to assemble extra info on this case,” the State Division stated. “Iran routinely wrongfully imprisons Americans and residents of different international locations for political functions. This apply is merciless and opposite to worldwide legislation.”
Iran has not acknowledged holding Valizadeh. Iran’s mission to the United Nations didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The Voice of America, one other U.S. government-funded media outlet overseen by the Company for International Media, first reported that the State Division acknowledged Valizadeh’s detention in Iran.
For the reason that 1979 US embassy disaster, during which dozens of hostages had been launched after 444 days of captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in its negotiations with the world. In September 2023, 5 People held in Iran for years had been launched in trade for 5 Iranians in US custody and $6 billion in frozen Iranian property to be launched by South Korea.
Valizadeh is the primary American recognized to have been detained by Iran since then.
In the meantime, Iranian state tv broadcast photographs from a number of cities throughout the nation on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the embassy takeover.
Common Hossein Salami, the pinnacle of the Guard, additionally spoke in Tehran, repeating a promise Khamenei made the day earlier than.
“The Resistance Entrance and Iran will equip themselves with the whole lot essential to confront and defeat the enemy,” he stated, referring to militant teams corresponding to Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, backed by Tehran.
The US says Iranian-People are being held in Iran as a result of tensions are excessive
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