(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — More than 36,000 Americans have secured safe passage from the Mideast since the war began but at least six Americans remain in Iranian custody.
One is Kamran Hekmati, a 61-year-old Iranian American who is Jewish, and was arrested last July while visiting family. The charge, traveling to Israel more than 13 years ago. His representative, former FBI hostage administrator Kieran Ramsey, says Hekmati is being held in notorious Evin prison. He has not heard from his client since the war began.
Ramsey says Tehran could use the hostages as an off-ramp to peace negotiations, citing the President’s success bringing over 100 Americans home this term. “We’re hopeful for this administration’s posture and positioning on it. Now we just need to see the action to get them out of there safely.”
A day ahead of Operation Epic Fury, Secretary of State Marco Rubio slapped Iran with the first “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention” label — and yesterday added Afghanistan to the list.
