White House: We believe Robert Levinson is no longer in Iran

The spokesperson for the White House says U.S. officials believe that Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent, is no longer in Iran. This is the latest comment regarding the mystery of Mr. Levinson's disappearance on Kish Island, following the release of a group of Iranian-American citizens. The United States has repeatedly asked Iran for assistance in locating him. Tehran has previously stated that it has no information about him. Josh Earnest, the White House spokesperson, told reporters on January 18 that the Iranian government assured them about the search for Levinson. Mr. Earnest added that Washington is working to ensure Iran fulfills its commitment in this regard. The family of the former FBI agent expressed happiness on Monday over the release of American citizens from Iranian prisons, but at the same time stated they had not been officially informed that Robert Levinson was among those released. Mr. Levinson's wife criticized this, stating that it was 'disappointing.' Mr. Levinson disappeared on March 9, 2007, on Kish Island, the last place he was seen, and it is unclear where he is currently. Various reports have been published regarding his activities and disappearance; the Associated Press previously stated that he was working on an unconfirmed mission for the CIA. Two years ago, Dawood Salahuddin, who killed an Iranian opposition figure in the U.S., told the Christian Science Monitor that he was the last person to see Levinson and that this American citizen was arrested by 'Islamic Republic officials' in Kish. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, stated at that time, 'What we know is that he is not imprisoned in Iran. If he is (in Iran), he has not been imprisoned by the government.' The U.S. has offered millions of dollars in rewards for information that could help locate him.