Lawyer for American detained in Iran says hostage deal is 'easiest problem on the table' for both sides
The matter of American hostages wrongfully detained in Iran could be resolved during negotiations between Tehran and Washington as both sides navigate a fragile ceasefire amid attempts to end the...
By Fox News · Fox News
The matter of American hostages wrongfully detained in Iran could be resolved during negotiations between Tehran and Washington as both sides navigate a fragile ceasefire amid attempts to end the conflict, one expert said. Ryan Fayhee, a lawyer for Abdolreza "Reza" Valizadeh, 49, who has been detained by Iran for more than a year, stressed the urgency of a diplomatic solution to secure his client's release as pressure on Iran remains high during the war against the United States and Israel. "It is my job as Reza's lawyer to make sure that it doesn't get lost," Fayhee told Fox News Digital. "While I have high confidence that this is part of the negotiations, even though the administration hasn't stated so publicly… it is officially my job to make sure it remains part of those conversations. And equally so — and this is the bigger challenge, because obviously, I don't have full control — it's my job to make sure Reza is safe and alive to allow for those negotiations to take place that ideally will secure his release." Iran is currently holding six Americans, though only two have been publicly identified: Valizadeh and 61-year-old Kamran Hekmati. Both hold dual Iranian and American citizenship and were being held in Iran's notorious Evin Prison. WHY TRUMP, IRAN SEEM LIGHT-YEARS APART ON ANY POSSIBLE DEAL TO END THE WAR In recent days, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have issued warnings on social media for residents living near the prison to evacuate the area amid continuing airstrikes. "Despite Reza and Kamran Hekmati both being American citizens, the Iranians don't recognize their American citizenship," Fayhee said. "For that reason, they don't receive traditional consular services. And even if they did, we don't have an embassy there." In February, the State Department designated Iran a "State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention" for arbitrarily arresting Americans to use as bargaining chips in future negotiations. "For decades, Iran has continued to cruelly detain innoc…