A common view of the Iranian capital, Tehran. Archive | Picture credit score: Reuters
“An Iranian-American journalist who as soon as labored for a US government-funded broadcaster is believed to be detained by Iran for months,” authorities mentioned on Sunday (Nov. 3, 2024), additional growing the stakes as Tehran threatens retaliation for an Israeli. assault on the nation.
The imprisonment of Reza Valizadeh, acknowledged earlier than The Related Press by the US State Division, got here as Iran marked the forty fifth anniversary of the US embassy seizure and hostage disaster on Sunday (Nov 3, 2024). It additionally got here after Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened each Israel and the USA the day earlier than with “a crushing response” when long-range B-52 bombers hit the Center East in an try to discourage Tehran.
Valizadeh had labored for Radio Fardaa Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty outlet that’s overseen by the US Company for International Media. In February 2024, he wrote on the social platform X that his family members had been detained in an try and see him return to Iran.
In August 2024, Valizadeh apparently posted two messages suggesting that he had returned to Iran regardless of Radio Farda being thought of a hostile media by the Iranian theocracy.
“I arrived in Tehran on March 6, 2024. Earlier than that, I had unfinished negotiations with the (Revolutionary Guard) intelligence division,” the message learn partly. “I lastly returned to my nation after 13 years with none assure of security, not even verbal.”
Valizadeh added the title of a person he mentioned was from Iran’s Intelligence Ministry. He AP It couldn’t be verified whether or not the individual labored for the Ministry.
Rumors have been circulating for weeks that Valizadeh had been arrested. The Human Rights Activists Information Company, which follows instances in Iran, mentioned he had been detained upon arrival within the nation earlier this yr, however later launched.
He was then rearrested and despatched to Evin jail, the place he now faces a case in Iran’s Revolutionary Courtroom, which routinely holds closed-door hearings wherein defendants face secret proof, the company reported. Valizadeh had additionally been arrested in 2007, he mentioned.
The State Division advised the AP that he was “conscious of experiences that this twin US-Iranian citizen has been arrested in Iran” when requested about Valizadeh.
“We’re working with our Swiss companions who function the USA’ protecting energy in Iran to assemble extra details about this case,” the State Division mentioned. “Iran routinely unjustly imprisons American and different residents for political functions. “This observe is merciless and opposite to worldwide legislation.”
Iran has not acknowledged detaining Valizadeh. Iran’s mission to the United Nations didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Voice of America, one other media outlet funded by the U.S. authorities and overseen by the Company for International Media, first reported that the State Division was acknowledging Valizadeh’s detention in Iran.
Because the US embassy disaster in 1979, wherein dozens of hostages had been freed after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations with the world. In September 2023, 5 People held for years in Iran had been freed in change for 5 Iranians in US custody and $6 billion in frozen Iranian belongings to be launched by South Korea.
Valizadeh is the primary American detained by Iran since then.
Revealed – Nov 03, 2024 01:23 pm IST
