The United States has imposed sanctions on three Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security officials involved in the abduction, detention, and probable death of former FBI Special Agent Robert A. Levinson.
The move follows the designation of Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai as MOIS officers in December 2020, who were accused of being complicit in Mr. Levinson's disappearance. The U.S. government has vowed to continue working to identify those responsible for his death and secure the release of all American nationals held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.
The sanctions are part of a broader effort to hold Iranian officials accountable for their actions, including unjust detentions and lethal plotting against U.S. nationals. The United States has long condemned Iran's record on hostage-taking, which includes the detention of U.S. citizens in various parts of the world.
The Department of State's Rewards for Justice program, established in November 2019, has offered a reward of up to $20 million for information leading to Mr. Levinson's recovery and the identification of those responsible for his disappearance. Today's action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order 14078, which implements the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act.
The sanctions demonstrate the U.S. government's commitment to holding foreign states accountable for wrongful detention and hostage-taking, as well as terrorist organizations and criminal groups that engage in such activities. The move is seen as a significant step forward in securing the release of American nationals held captive abroad and upholding U.S. values on human rights and dignity.
The United States will continue to work tirelessly to identify those responsible for Mr. Levinson's death and secure his safe return, as well as that of all other U.S. nationals detained or held hostage abroad.