Iran source: US journalist Jason Rezaian freed

The publisher of The Washington Post says he “couldn’t be happier” to hear that the paper’s reporter, Jason Rezaian, had been released from Iran’s Evin Prison on Saturday.

In Vienna, where U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was scheduled to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, a U.S. official said the prisoner release deal was clinched within the last 24 hours after 14 months of negotiation, the Associated Press reports.

Saeed Abedini, a pastor jailed in Iran since 2012 for allegedly trying to set up house churches, was one of four Iranian-Americans freed on Saturday (Jan. 16) in a prisoner deal with the US linked to the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers. At time of arrest, was running an orphanage in Iran.

“It’s great that these prisoners have been released”, Huckabee said. We’re grateful for the millions of people who have stood with us in our ongoing efforts – both in this country and overseas – to secure his release. Rand Paul praised the US government as it was announced that the pastor was among four prisoners freed by Iran Saturday.

Saeed Abedini’s wife, Naghmeh, released a statement thanking those who had supported them.

“This is a critical time for me and my family”, she continued. He was sentenced in 2013 to 8 years in prison.

Abedini’s cause has been championed by Christians in the USA, especially evangelicals, who have pressured the Obama administration to work for his release.

“The reality is that there are Christians and religious minorities throughout the Middle East and around the world who look toward America, hoping they are not forgotten and that someone will speak out on their behalf”, concluded Perkins.

“We have confirmed that Pastor Saeed Abedini is in the Swiss Embassy in Tehran along with three other Americans”.

The sentence has resulted in torture and beatings and pressure to recant for Abedini, whose American wife and two children live in Boise, Idaho.

“We’re delighted this day has finally arrived”, stated Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ.

Pastor Saeed Abedini was detained for sharing his faith in September 2012.

“We encourage everyone to pray for the Abedini family as Saeed returns home and they move forward with their lives”. “The prayers of the Body of Christ all over the world have been answered”, reflected Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.

“We are grateful for the release of Pastor Saeed”.