IRGC Intelligence Reports to Parliament on Jason Rezaian

The spokesperson for the National Security Commission of the Iranian Parliament stated that the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has submitted a report regarding Jason Rezaian, the imprisoned journalist of The Washington Post. Nouzar Shafiei, the spokesperson for the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, told the IRNA and Fars news agencies that this report was presented to the commission on the afternoon of October 4. According to Mr. Shafiei, the report describes the Iranian-American journalist as 'an agent executing the thoughts of those U.S. Senators who believe that if America can restore its relations with Iran to the pre-revolution level, the Iranian government can be easily toppled.' The reports from IRNA and Fars did not mention the names of the senators with such views or the details of the relationship between the Washington Post journalist and these representatives. The spokesperson also stated that the IRGC Intelligence Organization referred to Mr. Rezaian as an example of 'enemy infiltration methods aimed at damaging the foundations of the revolution and the system.' Jason Rezaian is one of three Iranian-Americans imprisoned in Iran, for whom Washington has repeatedly requested their release from Iranian officials in recent months. Saeed Abedini, a pastor, and Amir Hekmati, a former U.S. Army soldier, are other Iranian-American prisoners. Jason Rezaian has been detained since July 22 of last year on charges of 'espionage' and 'actions against national security.' Mr. Rezaian's lawyer stated at the beginning of September that a verdict had been issued for his client, but it has not yet been communicated. Recently, reports emerged that the U.S. has sought help from Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, in its ongoing efforts to secure the release of Mr. Rezaian, Hekmati, and Abedini. The United States has also asked Tehran to assist in locating Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who reportedly went missing on Kish Island. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, mentioned in an interview with CBS News during the third week of September that if humanitarian steps can be taken regarding the potential 'exchange' of prisoners between Iran and the U.S., 'we must take those steps.' Other senior Iranian officials, such as the Speaker of the Parliament, have also referred to such possibilities, but all three Iranian-American citizens remain imprisoned. In this context, Jason Rezaian's lawyer announced the issuance of a verdict for his client, while Ali Larijani stated that Americans should not make baseless claims about their citizens. Larijani referenced the possibility of prisoner exchanges between Iran and the U.S., while the White House is seeking 'the Pope's help for the release of Americans imprisoned in Iran.'