Families of Dual-National Prisoners Gather in Front of the White House; Bring Our Loved Ones Back to Us

A group of family members of dual nationals taken hostage by the Islamic Republic gathered in front of the White House on Wednesday, May 3, urging U.S. President Joe Biden to prioritize the release of their loved ones from the grip of the Islamic regime. According to a report by VOA, the families of Emad Sharqi, Morad Tahbaz, and Shahab Dalili attended this gathering, requesting a meeting with Biden and asking him to make the release of the hostages a priority and pursue this matter vigorously. Neda Sharqi, sister of Emad Sharqi, a prisoner held in Iran, announced the creation of the campaign 'Bring Our Family Home' and told VOA: 'With the help of a group of freed American hostages, we plan to introduce Iranian-American hostages held in the prisons of the Islamic Republic to the American people and media and strive to meet with President Biden.' Jonathan Franks, a member of the 'Bring Our Family Home' campaign, also told VOA: 'I think meeting with Joe Biden is very important for the families, although the government may say there is no connection between the release of hostages and a meeting with the U.S. President, the main point is that in such times families want to ensure their President supports them. While speaking to reporters at the White House was good, it is not as beneficial as a face-to-face meeting and establishing a human connection.' Biden administration officials have repeatedly stated that they are working to bring back Americans who are unjustly detained in other countries.