In a historic deal with Iran this week, the United States agreed to loosen sanctions in exchange for 10 years of limited nuclear development. Notpart of that deal, though, was the release of four U.S. citizens currently being held prisoner in Iran.President Obama addressed this directly while answering questions about the Iran deal on Wednesday. He promised that efforts to secure the release of these hostages would not cease.
“We are working every single day to try to get them out, and won’t stop until they’re out and rejoined by their families,” said President Obama.
One of the missing American citizens is Bob Levinson of Coral Springs in Broward County. For the Levinson family, the United States government’s negotiations cannot progress fast enough.
Levinson worked for the FBI until retiring from the agency in 1998. Nine years later, while traveling on Kish Island in the south of Iran in 2007, Levinson disappeared. His family has not spoken with him since then.
“The last time I spoke with my husband was the night before he disappeared on March 8, 2007,” said his wife, Christine Levinson. “As far as actually seeing him, the last time I saw him was in the pictures in April of 2011.”
Mrs. Levinson is referring to pictures and a short video of her husband sent anonymously to the family by his captors. Despite offering this proof of life, Mr. Levinson’s captors have not made clear who they are or what they seek in return for his release.
The details of Levinson’s disappearance are murky. Although the United States claims he was not a government employee at the time of his disappearance, the Associated Press reported in 2013 that Levinson was working for the CIA.
The Iranian government officially denies any involvement in the case. Iranian leaders have claimed to know nothing about Levinson’s disappearance and have pledged to help locate him.
For example, in a 2013 interview with CNN, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested his government would cooperate to secure Mr. Levinson’s release.
“All the intelligence services in the region can come together to gather information about him to find his whereabouts, and we’re willing to cooperate on that,” Rouhani said.
The United States government, however, has its doubts. The AP also reported in 2011 that some American officials suspect Levinson was captured by the Iranian government to be used as a bargaining chip with Washington.
For the Levinson family, the finger pointing has gone on long enough.
“To both governments, I would like them to please continue to resolve this case as soon as possible. Every day that Bob is not home with us is a nightmare,” Mrs. Levinson said.
His family is disappointed the new Iran deal does not include a provision ensuring Mr. Levinson’s release. Even so, they are cautiously optimistic that the new deal might pave a path to freedom for Bob Levinson.
“I believe it can, because now the two governments have been talking to each other and hopefully they will continue to talk to each other and resolve this case as soon as possible,” said Mrs. Levinson.
Mr. Levinson is currently the longest-held American captive in United States history. The FBI has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his safe return.
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