CNN —An American-Iranian journalist who once worked for a US-funded broadcaster is believed to have been detained in Iran, according to his former employer and multiple press freedom groups.
Iran has not acknowledged detaining Valizadeh and the Iranian mission to the United Nations has declined to comment on his situation.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which focuses on Iran, also believes Valizadeh is being held in Evin.
Iran has a long history of using dual nationals as bargaining chips in its troubled relationship with the West.
It is currently marking the 25th anniversary of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, in which 52 US citizens were held captive for 444 days.
Persons:
Reza Valizadeh, Valizadeh, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ”, Yeganeh Rezaian, “
Organizations:
CNN, Radio Farda, Free, Radio Liberty, RFE, United Nations, US State Department, Farda, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Intelligence Organization, Protect Journalists, Rights, News Agency, Department of State’s, State Department, US
Locations:
American, Iranian, Iran, Tehran, Free Europe, Switzerland, United States, Israel, New York, Iran’s, Evin, East, North Africa