DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Iranian-American journalist who as soon as labored for a U.S. government-funded broadcaster is thought to were detained by way of Iran for months now, government stated Sunday, additional elevating the stakes as Tehran threatens to retaliate over an Israeli assault at the nation. The imprisonment of Reza Valizadeh, stated to The Related Press by way of the U.S. State Division, got here as Iran marked the forty fifth anniversary of the American Embassy takeover and hostage disaster on Sunday. It additionally adopted Iran’s Excellent Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatening each Israel and the U.S. the day earlier than with “a crushing reaction” as long-range B-52 bombers reached the Heart East in an try to deter Tehran.Valizadeh had labored for Radio Farda, an outlet below Radio Unfastened Europe/Radio Liberty that’s overseen by way of the U.S. Company for International Media. In February, he wrote at the social platform X that his members of the family have been detained so that you can see him go back to Iran.
In August, Valizadeh it appears posted two messages suggesting he had returned to Iran regardless of Radio Farda being considered by way of Iran’s theocracy as a antagonistic outlet.
“I arrived in Tehran on March 6, 2024. Sooner than that, I had unfinished negotiations with the (Modern Guard’s) intelligence division,” the message learn partly. “Ultimately I got here again to my nation after 13 years with none safety ensure, even a verbal one.”
Valizadeh added the identify of a person who he claimed belonged to Iran’s Intelligence Ministry. The AP may just now not check if the individual labored for the ministry. Rumors were circulating for weeks that Valizadeh have been detained. The Human Rights Activists Information Company, which screens circumstances in Iran, stated that he have been detained on arrival to the rustic previous this 12 months, however later launched. He used to be then rearrested and despatched to Evin jail, the place he now faces a case in Iran’s Modern Courtroom, which automatically holds closed-door hearings wherein defendants face secret proof, the company reported. Valizadeh had confronted arrest in 2007 as smartly, it stated.
The State Division advised the AP that it used to be “acutely aware of stories that this twin U.S.-Iranian citizen has been arrested in Iran” when requested about Valizadeh.“We’re running with our Swiss companions who function the protective energy for america in Iran to collect extra details about this example,” the State Division stated. “Iran automatically imprisons U.S. voters and different international locations’ voters unjustly for political functions. This tradition is merciless and opposite to global legislation.”Iran has now not stated detaining Valizadeh. Iran’s challenge to the United Countries didn’t straight away reply to a request for remark. The Voice of The usa, any other U.S. government-funded media outlet overseen by way of the Company for International Media, first reported the State Division used to be acknowledging Valizadeh’s detention in Iran. For the reason that 1979 U.S. Embassy disaster, which noticed dozens of hostages launched after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations with the arena. In September 2023, 5 American citizens detained for years in Iran had been freed in change for 5 Iranians in U.S. custody and for $6 billion in frozen Iranian belongings to be launched by way of South Korea.
Valizadeh is the primary American identified to be detained by way of Iran within the time since. In the meantime, Iranian state tv aired photos Sunday of various towns around the nation marking the anniversary of the embassy takeover.Gen. Hossein Salami, the top of the Guard, additionally spoke in Tehran, the place he repeated a pledge made the day earlier than by way of Khamenei.“The resistance entrance and Iran will equip itself with no matter essential to confront and defeat the enemy,” he stated, relating to the militant teams like Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah sponsored by way of Tehran.In Tehran, 1000’s on the gate of the previous U.S. Embassy chanted “Loss of life to The usa” and “Loss of life to Israel.” Some burned flags of the international locations and effigies of Israeli Top Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Additionally they carried pictures of killed best figures of Iran’s allied militant teams together with Lebanese Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and Palestinian Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar. The group within the state-organized rallies chanted they had been in a position to shield the Palestinians.
___Associated Press creator Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this document.
