Ed Royce: Iran Detains American Citizens for Ransom

Ed Royce, the chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated on Wednesday, July 25, that Iran uses the imprisonment of American citizens on baseless charges as leverage to extract ransom or ease sanctions. He emphasized that this action violates the "International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages." According to the House Foreign Affairs Committee website, Royce, speaking before the approval of Resolution 317 in the House, remarked that Iran continues its abhorrent practice of detaining foreigners based on fabricated charges, with innocent individuals suffering in brutal prison conditions. He referenced statements from Americans who have been released from Iranian prisons, indicating they were tortured, whipped, and held in solitary confinement during their detention. Royce further noted that these prisoners are often denied access to medical care and medication. He mentioned that Siamak Namazi, Baquer Namazi, and Xiyue Wang, American citizens, along with Nizar Zakka, a permanent resident, are currently detained in Iran on false charges of collaborating with hostile governments or espionage. Their families are concerned about how they will return home. Royce stressed that Robert Levinson, an American citizen, has been missing in Iran for ten years, and the Iranian government has not fulfilled its commitment to help return him. Levinson, a former FBI agent, was last seen on Kish Island, but the Iranian government claims it has no information regarding his fate or whereabouts. Reports indicate that four American citizens and two permanent residents are imprisoned in Iran. Royce questioned why Iran detains American citizens based on fabricated and political charges, suggesting that the Iranian government believes it can use them as leverage to gain concessions such as ransom or easing sanctions in exchange for their freedom, which he stated is a violation of the "International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages." The convention was adopted in 1979, and Iran joined it in 2006. Royce also praised a statement made by President Donald Trump last week, in which Trump warned Iran that it would face serious new consequences if it did not release the detained American citizens. The White House stated that Iran has used detention and hostage-taking as a tool of state policy for forty years. Reports indicate that on Tuesday, family members of American citizens imprisoned in Iran attended a session in the U.S. House of Representatives. According to these reports, Douglas Levinson, the son of Robert Levinson, Babak Namazi, the brother of Siamak, and Omar Zakka, the son of Nizar Zakka, were present at the "Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee" meeting. In this context, the House of Representatives called for the release of American prisoners in Iran. Iran has dismissed Trump's warning regarding the release of American citizens, and the White House rejected Zarif's statements regarding Baquer Namazi's situation.