At least six Americans remain imprisoned in Iran despite a newly announced memorandum of understanding aimed at ending months of conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The 14-point agreement, which begins a 60-day period of negotiations toward a permanent settlement, does not contain any publicly disclosed provision addressing the fate of American citizens currently being held by the Iranian government.
Advertisement Valizadeh was arrested in September 2024 while visiting family in Iran.
The omission has drawn renewed attention to several U.S. citizens and dual nationals imprisoned inside Iran, including Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh
Iranian authorities later sentenced him to 10 years in prison on charges of “collaboration with a hostile government.”
Supporters and legal advocates have argued the charges are politically motivated. Advertisement Before his arrest, Valizadeh spent nearly three decades reporting on Iranian and Middle Eastern affairs.
According to his attorney, communication with Valizadeh has become increasingly difficult following internet restrictions imposed by Iranian authorities during periods of political unrest. Advertisement The attorney said Valizadeh has occasionally been able to send voice messages through encrypted communications platforms.
He also worked for 10 years with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
In one recent message, Valizadeh questioned why prisoner releases were not included in broader diplomatic discussions.
Valizadeh also called for improved conditions for prisoners being held in Iran.
“At least demand real medical services for us,” he said.
“The U.S. government could have demanded our exchange in return,” he said
The attorney said Valizadeh reported food shortages, prolonged isolation, denial of medical care and psychological pressure inside the prison.
Valizadeh also expressed concern for sources and contacts inside Iran after authorities reportedly sought access to passwords and electronic devices following his arrest.
Valizadeh is not the only American currently believed to be imprisoned in Iran.
According to the attorney, Valizadeh has described deteriorating conditions inside Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison
According to the attorney, Kamran Hekmati is also being held in Evin Prison.
The attorney said Hekmati is suffering from bladder cancer.
Advocates also believe at least four other Americans remain detained in Iran.
His attorney said those concerns remain ongoing
The detention of foreign nationals has long been a point of tension between the United States and Iran. Advertisement The issue dates back to the 1979 hostage crisis, when Iranian revolutionaries seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held more than 50 American diplomats and staff members captive for 444 days.
Successive U.S. administrations have sought the release of Americans detained by Iran through diplomatic negotiations, prisoner exchanges and sanctions pressure.
The newly announced U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding is intended to create a framework for a broader agreement covering regional security issues and future relations between the two countries.
Hekmati reportedly remains imprisoned over a visit to Israel more than a decade ago for his son’s bar mitzvah
Trump announced the agreement earlier this week and described it as a major diplomatic breakthrough.
Negotiators now have 60 days to attempt to finalize a permanent agreement.
They contend that any lasting agreement between Washington and Tehran should include provisions for the release of American citizens, The Washington Post reported.
Their identities have not been publicly disclosed because family members fear possible retaliation from Iranian authorities
Whether prisoner releases ultimately become part of the final agreement remains unclear.
