[ad_1]
On Monday, the US Treasury announced the imposition of sanctions against the two officials of the Iranian Ministry of Security and Intelligence, Ahmad Khazai and Muhammad Basiri, in order to increase pressure on Tehran as President Donald’s term approaches. Trump.
The US Department said these two officials were involved in the 2007 kidnapping of former FBI agent Bob Levinson on the island of Kish, where it believes he was abducted in Iran and died in custody.
He explained that he had blacklisted Khuzaie and Basiri, who are associated with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.
Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin described the kidnapping of Agent Levinson as a shameful example of the Iranian regime’s willingness to commit unjust acts.
He added that his country will always prioritize the safety and security of the American people and will continue to prosecute those who played a role in Levinson’s arrest and possible death.
For his part, the director of the United States Federal Police, Christopher Ray, said in a statement: “The Iranian government promised to provide its help to return Levinson, but did not do so at all. Iranian intelligence services, and with the approval of senior officials, are involved in the kidnapping and arrest of Bob. “
On the other hand, a senior US official told reporters: “The government has concluded that all available evidence shows that it appears that Bob died during his arrest.”
Washington has assigned a financial reward to whoever takes Levinson’s place … and the image is in an Afghan area on the Iranian (European) borders.Information and content
According to statements by US officials to Reuters, the public identification of Khazaee and Basiri would lead to more information about Levinson.
For his part, a third US official said Monday that no agreement with Iran should be concluded without the release of all citizens unjustly detained there.
And last March, after a 13-year mystery surrounding the case, President Trump hinted that Levinson was likely dead. His family confirmed at the time that officials told them that he “died during his detention by the Iranian authorities.”
Washington has consistently maintained that Levinson was not working for the government when it lost him in March 2017 on the island of Kish in the Gulf. He retired from the FBI about 10 years ago.
But the “Washington Post” newspaper reported that he was working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and was preparing to meet with an informant on the Iranian nuclear program.
[ad_2]
