Detained U.S. Journalist In Iran Pleads For Medical Help From Evin Prison
Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American journalist detained in Evin Prison, pleaded with the U.S. government for medical help in an audio recording aired by CBS on Friday, June 5, 2026.[1]
CBS said the recording was a phone call that became possible after Iran eased a near-total internet blackout.[1] The blackout followed U.S. and Israeli airstrikes about three months earlier, the report said.[1] Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan framed Valizadeh's message as a call for the U.S. government to act on detainees' medical care.[1]
Iran imposed a near-total internet blackout after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes about three months earlier, and its easing made the call possible.[1] CBS described the file as a CBS News-obtained audio recording.[2] Reporting confirmed Valizadeh remained held inside Evin Prison when the recording aired.[3]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, June 5, 2026, CBS aired audio of Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh speaking from inside Evin Prison, pleading with the U.S. government to obtain medical help for him and other Americans held in Iran (Reza Valizadeh).
- The appeal was transmitted in a recorded phone call that became possible after Iran eased a near-total internet blackout imposed following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes three months earlier (near-total internet blackout).
- The segment was reported on-air by Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan, who framed the audio as Valizadeh’s call for the U.S. government to act on medical care for detainees (Margaret Brennan).
- CBS described the recording aired on June 5, 2026 as a CBS News-obtained audio recording of Valizadeh speaking from prison (CBS News-obtained audio recording).
- Article text confirms that Valizadeh remained detained in Iran’s Evin Prison as of the June 5, 2026 broadcast (Evin Prison).
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Friday, June 5, 2026, CBS aired a CBS News-obtained audio recording of Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh speaking from Evin Prison and pleading for help.
- The segment was reported by 'Face the Nation' moderator Margaret Brennan, who framed the audio as Valizadeh’s call for assistance.
- Article text confirms that Valizadeh remains detained in Iran’s Evin Prison as of the June 5, 2026 broadcast.
- On Friday, June 5, 2026, CBS aired audio of Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh speaking from inside Evin Prison, pleading with the U.S. government to obtain medical help for him and other Americans held in Iran.
- Valizadeh's appeal was transmitted in a recorded phone call that became possible after Iran eased a near-total internet blackout imposed following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes three months earlier.
- In the broadcast, "Face The Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan reports on Valizadeh's message, which explicitly frames his request as a call to the U.S. government to act on medical care for detainees.