Lawyers of Siamak Namazi and Shahab Dalili Reject Claims of 'Release of Dual National Prisoners'

Iranian media has reported on the possibility of the imminent release of American prisoners in Iran, stating that more good news will be published soon regarding this matter. However, the families of these prisoners expressed ignorance about such news or the potential release of their loved ones. The Telegram channel of the newspaper Shargh published a report suggesting that news of releases might be on the way, stating: 'From tomorrow until Tuesday, expect the release of American prisoners in Iran and good news thereafter.' The first and most serious denial came from Jared Genser, the lawyer for the Namazi family. While investigations into this news were ongoing, the lawyer tweeted in Persian: 'The rumors circulating in Iranian Telegram news channels that Siamak Namazi, the American hostage, has informed his family that he will be released from Evin Prison in the coming days are completely unfounded. Siamak has had no contact regarding this claim, and neither he nor his family has received such news.' Nahid Dalili, the wife of Shahab Dalili, also denied this news in response to a question from the Persian section of Voice of America, stating she had neither heard anything about it nor had any information. In the last prisoner exchange mediated by Oman, a Belgian aid worker was released from Iran, and in return, Assadollah Assadi, an Islamic Republic diplomat who was convicted in Belgium and imprisoned, was freed. Typically, foreign and dual or multiple nationality prisoners are released and exit Iran through Omani mediation. The recent visit of Sultan of Oman to Iran had strengthened the belief that the release of hostages and prisoners might be forthcoming. Among the dual nationals imprisoned in Iran are Kamran Ghaderi and Masoud Mosahab, Iranian-Austrian citizens, Nahid Taghavi and Jamshid Shahram, Iranian-German citizens, Mehran Raouf, an Iranian-British citizen, and Ahmadreza Jalali, an Iranian-Swedish citizen. Additionally, Morad Tahbaz, a triple national citizen (Iranian, American, British), Siamak Namazi and Emad Sharqi, Iranian-American citizens, and Shahab Dalili, an Iranian citizen with permanent residency in the U.S., are also in prison. Observers of Iranian affairs say that the Islamic Republic intends to use the detention of citizens from other countries, especially dual nationals, as leverage in its negotiations with other countries, effectively taking them hostage with false accusations. Many Western countries, including U.S. officials, have repeatedly warned dual nationals that traveling to Iran is risky due to the actions of the Islamic Republic and have advised them against traveling to Iran, even for family visits, to avoid putting themselves in danger. The official visit of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, the Sultan of Oman, to Iran has drawn criticism from Amnesty International regarding the release of Assadollah Assadi, stating that this action endangers opponents of the Islamic Republic. Prince Reza Pahlavi stated that prisoner exchanges with the Islamic Republic encourage the regime to engage in more hostage-taking. The organization 'Britain's Committee for the Freedom of Iran' strongly condemned the release of Assadollah Assadi. The U.S. reaction to the prisoner exchange with the Islamic Republic described it as a disgusting example for advancing political objectives. Iran and Belgium exchanged two prisoners; a Belgian aid worker and the imprisoned diplomat Assadollah Assadi were released.