Detained U.S. Journalist In Iran Pleads For Medical Help From Evin Prison
Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American journalist held at Evin Prison, recorded a plea asking the U.S. for medical help for himself and other detained Americans.[1]
The recorded message, transmitted after Iran eased a near-total internet blackout, says four Americans at Evin suffer from various diseases and are deprived of real medical services.[1] He accused prison authorities of continued physical pressure and mental torture.[1]
Iran imposed the near-total internet blackout after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes three months earlier, and officials say easing that blackout allowed Valizadeh's message to get out.[1] The State Department says it believes six Americans are detained in Iran, and diplomatic sources told CBS that current U.S.-Iran truce talks deliberately exclude prisoner releases, which negotiators are reserving for a separate track.[1] Valizadeh also criticized the U.S. for releasing 22 Iranian sailors from the seized motor vessel Touska on May 4, 2026 without securing an exchange for detained Americans.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American journalist held at Evin Prison, recorded a plea for U.S. help that was recently transmitted after Iran eased a near-total internet blackout imposed following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes three months earlier.
- In the June 4, 2026 CBS News report, Valizadeh says four Americans at Evin suffer from various diseases and are deprived of real medical services, alleging continued physical pressure and mental torture.
- CBS reports the State Department believes six Americans are detained in Iran, and diplomatic sources say current U.S.-Iran truce talks deliberately exclude any prisoner releases, which are being reserved for a separate negotiation track.
- Valizadeh criticized the U.S. for releasing 22 Iranian sailors from the seized motor vessel Touska on May 4, 2026, without securing an exchange for detained Americans.
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