Barack Obama has called on Iran to release Jason Rezaian, the Washington Post reporter detained in Iran for nearly eight months, and two other Americans detained there.
In a statement released by the White House on Friday, Obama said Rezaian has been detained “unjustly” by Tehran and urged the government there to release the American journalist in the spirit of Nowruz, the Iranian new year which falls on Saturday.
“It is especially painful that on a holiday centered on ridding oneself of the difficulties of the past year, Jason’s mother and family will continue to carry the heavy burden of concern regarding Jason’s health and well-being into the new year,” Obama said in the statement.
As the latest round of talks over Iran’s nuclear programme adjourned in Switzerland, Obama said in a YouTube message on Thursday that this year presented the “best opportunity in decades” to reshape the relationship between Washington and Tehran.
Rezaian, a dual national of the US and Iran, was detained in July 2014 after security forces raided his home in Tehran and arrested him, his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, also a journalist, and two friends, an Iranian-American with connections to Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani.
The Guardian reported on Tuesday that Iranian intelligence authorities have been trying to build a case against Rezaian in an effort to undermine the Rouhani’s moderate administration.
Of the four, Rezaian is the only one who has yet to be released. He is being held at Evin prison in Tehran. Last week he celebrated his 39th birthday behind bars.
In his Nowruz message, Obama also called for the release of Christian pastor Saeed Abedini of Boise, Idaho, who has been imprisoned in Iran for two and a half years on charges related to his religious beliefs, and former US marine Amir Hekmati of Flint, Michigan, who has been held on false espionage charges for more than three and a half years. The statement also mentioned Robert Levinson, a CIA contractor who disappeared on Iran’s Kish Island eight years ago.
“At this time of renewal, compassion, and understanding, I reiterate my commitment to bringing our citizens home and call on the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately release Saeed Abedini, Amir Hekmati and Jason Rezaian and to work cooperatively with us to find Robert Levinson so that they all can be safely reunited with their families as soon as possible,” Obama said.
The halting talks between Iran and many of the world’s leaders, which have stretched over 18 months, are fast approaching the deadline for a deal, 31 March. The framework for the agreement would require Iran to accept limits of its nuclear activities for at least 10 years in return for a gradual easing of economic sanctions.
US State Department officials have repeatedly pressed Iran to release Rezaian and other captive Americans. During a press conference in Washington DC last week, Rezaian’s family announced that his lawyer had appealed to the government to release the reporter on bail for Nowruz.
“It’s a time for new beginnings,” said Ali Rezaian, the family spokesman, at the press conference. “It’s a time for generosity and mercy.”
