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Iran on Sunday
confirmed the detention of an unnamed visiting U.S. citizen, the
latest in a string of arrests of dual nationals, but declined to
say what charges they might face, the semi-official Fars news
agency reported.
However, an Iranian Judiciary spokesman said the person's arrest
took place in the northeastern city of Gorgan and that the trial
"may be held" in Tehran, Fars reported.
An Iranian-American man, California-based Robin Reza Shahini was
detained while visiting his mother in Gorgan earlier in July,
according to Shahini's friends.
"We've seen reports of the detention (in) Iran of a person
reported to be a U.S. citizen, and I can tell you we are looking
into that," State Department spokesman John Kirby told
reporters, saying he had no more information to offer.
The two other U.S. citizens of Iranian descent detained in Iran
are businessman Siamak Namazi and his father Baquer Namazi. Iran
does not recognize dual nationality, which prevents Western
embassies from visiting such detainees.
Iranian dual nationals from the United States, Britain, Canada
and France are behind bars on various charges, including
espionage or collaborating with a hostile government. Some are
kept to be used for a prisoner exchange with Western countries,
according to prisoners, their families and diplomats.
(Reporting by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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