Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Baquer Namazi, a wrongfully detained Iranian American, was released from Iranian custody and was reunited with his family in Abu Dhabi Oct. 5.
“Baquer Namazi is now in Abu Dhabi after departing Iran for Muscat; he has been reunited with his family and will soon receive urgently needed medical treatment,” Blinken said in a news release. “A U.S. citizen and distinguished former United Nations official, Baquer was wrongfully detained in 2016 and then barred from leaving Iran. He was cruelly detained while working to secure the release of his son Siamak Namazi, who has also been wrongfully detained in Iran for seven years.
“Baquer has asked that we convey his deepest thanks to all of those who worked so tirelessly to secure his release. I add my own gratitude for all of the friends and partners who helped bring about his freedom,” Blinken added, according to the release. “In particular, we thank the Sultanate of Oman, which worked with Iranian authorities to arrange for his flight out of the country, and the United Arab Emirates, which is generously hosting him and his family during his medical treatment. We look forward to his full recovery and to welcoming him home to the United States.”
Namazi's release is the first American Iran has released since President Joe Biden took office, AP News reported Oct. 5. However, Namazi's son and several other Americans remain in Iranian custody.
AP News reported Namazi is set to undergo a procedure at the local branch of Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi to clear a severe blockage in his left internal carotid artery. The blockage has put Namazi at high risk for stroke.
Namazi's son was arrested while he was visiting Iran on a business trip, AP News reported. Both father and son were sentenced to 10 years in prison for alleged spying charges. The U.S. and the UN have said the cases against the two men are trumped up charges.
