Iran Detains US Citizen, Family Says

Secretary of State John KerryJohn KerryJailed American’s 80-year-old father imprisoned in Iran, family claims Trump: Kerry probably hasn’t read the Bible Tina Fey: I’m not endorsing so I don’t get hit up for donations MORE appeared to confirm the arrest during a hearing in a Senate Appropriations subcommittee.

His wife, Effie Namazi, announced his capture on Facebook and said he was taken to Evin Prison, the same place their son is being held, Reuters reported. “This is a nightmare I can’t describe”.

Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American businessman who also advocated a warmer U.S.-Iranian relationship, was not included in January’s prisoner exchange that saw five American freed from Iranian prison and U.S. sentences, charges or warrants dropped against 21 Iranians in a deal that Kerry helped finalize.

A USA citizen whose son has been detained in Iran for the past four months was also taken into custody after returning to the country this week, his lawyer confirmed Thursday in what is the first such action against an American national in Iran since last month’s prisoner swap between the two countries.

“I have been trying to find out more information but have been unable to do so”, she wrote. I am extremely concerned and anxious sick for Baquer’s health.

State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement, “We are aware of reports that a USA citizen was detained in Iran”.

His father, Baquer Namazi, was arrested this week in Tehran. In the legislative vote, President Hassan Rouhani hopes to win added support for his efforts to open Iran to the outside world and attract investment to spur an economy hurt by years of crippling worldwide sanctions.

The younger Namazi had been specifically criticized in hardline commentary ahead of his arrest as Iranian conservatives warned against easing hostilities with the U.S.

The IRGC has arrested a number of journalists and activists in recent months.

“We take our obligation to assist United States citizens overseas seriously”.

Baquer Namazi is a former Unicef official and Iranian provincial governor and more recently was the chair of Hamyaran, an umbrella group for Iranian nongovernmental organizations. His son Siamak was most recently working for Crescent Petroleum in the United Arab Emirates, and previously headed a consulting business in Iran.

His story is similar to that of Siamak, who had been living in Dubai but traveled to Iran last July to attend a funeral.

Corrections & Amplifications: Baquer Namazi’s family said on Wednesday that he had been detained in Iran.