Iranian American Man Detained in Evin Prison Over Trip to Israel
An elderly Iranian American man, identified as Kamran Hekmati, is currently detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison on charges stemming from his visit to Israel 13 years ago to celebrate his son’s bar mitzvah. Hekmati, aged 70, was sentenced under Iranian law, which prohibits Iranians from traveling to Israel. His situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of dual nationals and foreign citizens in Iran.
Hekmati’s family informed NBC News that his arrest followed several interrogations after he traveled from his home in New York to Iran for personal reasons in May 2024. He was detained in July, and is reportedly in poor health, battling bladder cancer. The family hopes he will be released on humanitarian grounds due to his medical condition.
According to a source familiar with the situation, Hekmati is one of at least four Americans currently held in Iran. Another detainee is Iranian American journalist Reza Valizadeh, who has been imprisoned since 2024. The U.S. State Department has not disclosed specific information regarding Hekmati’s case, citing privacy concerns, and has refrained from providing details about the total number of American citizens detained in Iran.
A spokesperson for the State Department stated, “The Iranian regime has a long history of unjustly and wrongfully detaining other countries’ citizens.” The official urged Iran to release detained individuals immediately, emphasizing the heightened risks faced by Americans traveling to Iran.
The U.S. government has consistently warned its citizens against travel to Iran due to the potential for arbitrary detention. The spokesperson noted, “Anyone with a U.S. connection, including dual U.S.-Iranian nationals, is at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran.”
Iran’s mission to the United Nations has not commented on Hekmati’s detention, leaving his family and supporters concerned about his well-being and future. As the situation develops, advocates for Hekmati continue to call for immediate action to secure his release and that of others unjustly detained in Iran.
