Nelson, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, has reaffirmed the country's unwavering commitment to the victims and families affected by the actions of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former leader of Iran. Ahmadinejad has recently been blacklisted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control for providing support to the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security, which is also under sanctions by the Department of State.
This action is in accordance with Executive Order 14078, titled "Bolstering Efforts to Bring Hostages and Wrongfully Detained U.S. Nationals Home," which aims to deter and impose consequences on those responsible for hostage-taking or wrongful detention of U.S. citizens abroad. The order is based on the 2020 Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage Taking Accountability Act, which was created to honor the perseverance of the Levinson family and others who have transformed their personal adversity into meaningful action.
The Department of State has concurrently designated the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) for its involvement in ordering and directing the hostage-taking and unjustified detention of U.S. citizens. MOIS was previously designated in 2012 for its support of various terror organizations and human rights violations against the Iranian people. Additionally, MOIS was recently sanctioned for its cyber operations against the United States.
During his presidency from 2005 to 2013, Ahmadinejad appointed two Ministers of Intelligence and Security to lead MOIS. Under his administration, notable cases of wrongful detention included former FBI agent Robert Levinson and three American hikers who were eventually released, except for Levinson who is still unaccounted for.
The U.S. government demands a complete explanation from the Iranian government regarding the fate of Bob Levinson and urges them to take responsibility for their actions. Nelson emphasized that the United States remains steadfast in its support for the victims and their families, ensuring that those responsible for their suffering face appropriate consequences.
