Tehran Urges Washington to Release Iranian Nationals
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham on Wednesday called on the United States to free Iranians detained in the US on unfounded charges.
“19 Iranians are in custody (in the US) on charge of alleged violation of US-imposed sanctions,” Afkham said in her weekly press conference in Tehran.
Iran is pursuing the fate of its nationals and urges the US administration to put an end to their incarceration, Afkham stressed.
She also regretted that international human rights bodies have kept silent on the imprisonment of these individuals.
Her remarks came after media reports claimed that Iran and the US have plans to swap a number of their prisoners, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who is in custody in Iran for espionage.
The claim was rejected on Tuesday by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Expatriates’ Affairs Hassan Qashqavi, who said there are no talks on swapping Rezaian with Iranian nationals jailed in the US.
Rezaian, a 39-year-old correspondent with dual Iran-US citizenships, was arrested in Tehran on July 22, 2014 on espionage charges.
