Latest news with #RobertLevinson
Shafaq News
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Washington sanctions Iran intel over FBI case
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, the United States announced sanctions on three Iranian intelligence officers linked to the disappearance and probable death of former FBI agent Robert Levinson. The action, taken by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in coordination with the FBI, was implemented under Executive Order 14078, which targets "individuals responsible for hostage-taking and wrongful detention, including by foreign state actors." According to the US Department of the Treasury, the designated individuals—Reza Amiri Moqadam, Gholamhossein Mohammadnia, and Taqi Daneshvar—are affiliated with Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and are allegedly involved in Levinson's abduction, detention, and subsequent concealment of information related to the case. MOIS was previously designated under the same executive order in 2023 for its role in the detention of US citizens, including Levinson, with the authorization of senior Iranian officials. The Treasury noted that the three individuals acted on behalf of the ministry. The Department of State continues to offer a reward of up to $20 million for information leading to Levinson's recovery or the identification of those involved in his disappearance. Earlier, the Treasury imposed sanctions on Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and several Hong Kong-flagged vessels linked to oil exports in a "Shadow Fleet" used to evade sanctions on Iranian oil exports, in addition to a private Chinese " teapot" refinery and entities accused of facilitating Iranian oil sales. The US and its allies have voiced concern over Iran's uranium enrichment nearing weapons-grade levels, despite Tehran's claims of peaceful intent. The issue escalated after US President Donald Trump revived his 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran.
LBCI
25-03-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
US announces sanctions on three Iranian officials for ex-FBI agent's death
The United States on Tuesday announced sanctions on three purported Iranian intelligence officers over the death of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who vanished in 2007. "Our investigation continues -- we will pursue all options to hold Iran accountable," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement, which comes after President Donald Trump reached out to Iran for nuclear talks. AFP
Reuters
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
U.S. sanctions three Iranian officials allegedly involved in death of FBI agent Robert Levinson
March 25 (Reuters) - The United States has imposed sanctions on three Iranian intelligence officers for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of former FBI Special Agent Robert Levinson, the U.S. Treasury and State departments said in press releases on Tuesday. The sanctions on Reza Amiri Moghadam, Gholamhossein Mohammadnia, and Taqi Daneshvar of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security are the latest linked to the disappearance of the former FBI agent, who Washington believes was abducted in Iran and died in captivity. As a result of the sanctions, any property of the men under U.S. jurisdiction must be blocked and Americans are generally barred from dealing with them. Foreign persons also risk blacklisting for dealing with them. 'Iran's treatment of Mr. Levinson remains a blight on Iran's already grim record of human rights abuse,' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. 'The Department of the Treasury will continue to work with U.S. government partners to identify those responsible and shine a light on their abhorrent behavior.' Levinson, who was working as a private investigator, disappeared in March 2007 after traveling to an island controlled by Iran for a meeting seeking information on alleged corruption involving former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. The three sanctioned individuals all played a role in Levinson's abduction, detention and probable death, as well as efforts to cover up Iran's responsibility, the Treasury Department said. The sanctions are being imposed under an executive order signed by former President Joe Biden, which seeks to hold to account terrorist organizations, criminal groups and other "malicious actors" who take hostages for financial or political gain. The U.S. previously sanctioned two other Iranian officials in December 2020 who it accused of involvement in Levinson's disappearance.
CNN
04-02-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Robert Levinson: FBI releases ‘seeking information posters' for two Iranian intelligence officers in case of abducted American
The FBI on Tuesday released 'seeking information posters' for two Iranian intelligence officers who they believe were involved in the disappearance of former FBI agent Robert Levinson. The US has previously identified and sanctioned Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai in the disappearance and presumed death of Levinson, and Tuesday's announcement reflects a renewed determination by US authorities to resolve the case. The US government has said Levinson was abducted in Iran in March 2007. In its release on Tuesday, the FBI said Baseri and Khazai acted in their roles as officials in Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security during 'Bob's abduction, detention, and probable death.' The bureau reiterated its standing reward of up to $5 million for information that leads to Levinson's 'location, recovery, and return.' The State Department also is offering a reward of up to $20 million for such information. 'Our extensive investigation continues to develop new leads and intelligence, and we will pursue all options to hold every Iranian official involved in his abduction accountable,' said Sanjay Virmani, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Counterterrorism Division. Levinson's family said in 2020 that they believed he was dead after receiving information from US officials and that it was prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. The former FBI agent traveled to Kish Island, Iran, in early March 2007, according to State Department officials, and was never publicly seen or heard from again. Iranian officials had long denied that Levinson was ever in the country, claiming there was no proof. However, a United Nations working group said in November 2019 that Iran's Justice Department had acknowledged that there was 'an on-going case in the Public Prosecution and Revolutionary Court of Tehran' for Levinson.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Robert Levinson disappearance: FBI releases posters seeking info on two Iranian intelligence officers
The FBI released posters Tuesday seeking information about two senior Iranian intelligence officers involved in the disappearance of retired FBI Special Agent Robert Levinson as the agency is vowing to "hold every Iranian official involved in his abduction accountable." Levinson was working as a private investigator when he vanished in 2007 after traveling to Iran's Kish Island. He had reportedly taken part in an unauthorized CIA mission and was presumed dead in 2020. "Even after all of this time that's passed, almost 18 years, we will never give up. We want answers. We demand answers," Levinson's family told Fox News Digital in a statement. "Someone, somewhere, knows something and we demand that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. We are grateful to the FBI for its commitment to justice for our family and for its continued pursuit of finding out what happened to Robert Levinson." The FBI said the two Iranian officers in the posters – Mohammed Baseri and Ahmad Khazai -- "allegedly acted in their capacity as officials of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security during Bob's abduction, detention, and probable death." Iran's Covert Nuclear Agency Found Operating Out Of Top Space Program Launch Sites "The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to return Bob to his family," Sanjay Virmani, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Counterterrorism Division, said in a statement. "Our extensive investigation continues to develop new leads and intelligence, and we will pursue all options to hold every Iranian official involved in his abduction accountable." Read On The Fox News App "For nearly 18 years, the Iranian government has denied knowledge of Bob's whereabouts despite senior intelligence officials authorizing Bob's abduction and detention and launching a disinformation campaign to deflect blame from the Iranian regime," the FBI added. The Treasury Department sanctioned both officers in December 2020. Trump And Netanyahu Expected To Discuss Iran, Hamas At White House Meeting "According to the designation, Baseri has been involved in counterespionage activities inside and outside Iran, as well as sensitive investigations related to Iranian national security issues. He has worked directly with intelligence officials from other countries to harm U.S. interests," the FBI said. "Khazai has led MOIS delegations to other countries to assess security situations." A $5 million reward is still being offered by the FBI for information leading to Levinson's location, recovery and article source: Robert Levinson disappearance: FBI releases posters seeking info on two Iranian intelligence officers
