An Iranian-American journalist who as soon as labored for a U.S. government-funded broadcaster is believed to have been detained by Iran for months now, authorities mentioned Sunday, additional elevating the stakes as Tehran threatens to retaliate over an Israeli assault on the nation.
The imprisonment of Reza Valizadeh, acknowledged to The Related Press by 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 Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatening each Israel and the U.S. the day earlier than with “a crushing response” as long-range B-52 bombers reached the Center East in an try to discourage Tehran.
Valizadeh had labored for Radio Farda, an outlet beneath Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that is overseen by the U.S. Company for International Media. In February, he wrote on the social platform X that his relations had been detained in an effort to see him return to Iran.
In August, Valizadeh apparently posted two messages suggesting he had returned to Iran regardless of Radio Farda being considered by Iran’s theocracy as a hostile outlet.
“I arrived in Tehran on March 6, 2024. Earlier than that, I had unfinished negotiations with the (Revolutionary Guard’s) intelligence division,” the message learn partly. “Finally I got here again to my nation after 13 years with none safety assure, even a verbal one.”
Vahid Salemi / AP
Valizadeh added the title of a person who he claimed belonged to Iran’s Intelligence Ministry. The AP couldn’t confirm if the particular person labored for the ministry.
Rumors have been circulating for weeks that Valizadeh had been detained. The Human Rights Activists Information Company, which screens circumstances in Iran, mentioned that he had been detained on arrival to 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 Court docket, which routinely holds closed-door hearings during which defendants face secret proof, the company reported. Valizadeh had confronted arrest in 2007 as properly, it mentioned.
The State Division advised the AP that it was “conscious of studies 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 energy for the USA in Iran to collect extra details about this case,” the State Division mentioned. “Iran routinely imprisons U.S. residents and different international locations’ residents unjustly for political functions. This apply is merciless and opposite to worldwide regulation.”
Iran has not acknowledged detaining 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 the State Division was acknowledging Valizadeh’s detention in Iran.
Because the 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 world. In September 2023, 5 Individuals detained for years in Iran had been freed in alternate for 5 Iranians in U.S. custody and for $6 billion in frozen Iranian property to be launched by South Korea.
Valizadeh is the primary American recognized to be detained by Iran within the time since.
In the meantime, Iranian state tv aired footage Sunday of various cities throughout 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 Khamenei.
“The resistance entrance and Iran will equip itself with no matter essential to confront and defeat the enemy,” he mentioned, referring to the militant teams like Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah backed by Tehran.
In Tehran, hundreds on the gate of the previous U.S. Embassy chanted “Loss of life to America” and “Loss of life to Israel.” Some burned flags of the international locations and effigies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Additionally they carried photos of killed high figures of Iran’s allied militant teams together with Lebanese Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and Palestinian Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar. The gang within the state-organized rallies chanted they had been able to defend the Palestinians.
Tensions are heightened within the Center East after a conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 folks, principally civilians, and abducting one other 250. Israel’s offensive has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, in line with Gaza well being authorities, who don’t say what number of had been combatants however say greater than half had been ladies and kids.
Hezbollah, who can also be allied with Iran, started firing rockets, drones and missiles from Lebanon into Israel in solidarity with Hamas instantly after. The yearlong cross-border preventing boiled over to full-blown conflict on Oct. 1, when Israeli forces launched a floor invasion of southern Lebanon for the primary time since 2006.
Iran, considered one of Israel’s bitter foes, launched its personal assault, unleashing about 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Oct. 1. Israel retaliated, focusing on Iranian navy services in airstrikes on Oct. 25.
