Relatives of 4 Americans held in Iran testify in House

WASHINGTON — Relatives of four Americans held in Iran called on the Obama administration Tuesday to do more to press for their release during negotiations with Tehran on a deal to roll back its nuclear programme.

Lawmakers from both parties said that if Tehran doesn't release them immediately, they would not trust the Iranian government to honour terms of any deal international negotiators are rushing to finalise before the end of the month.

"Call me a sceptic," said Republican Rep. Ed Royce, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which held a hearing on the issue.

Daniel Levinson — son of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who has been gone for more than 3,000 days — said his father has missed the births of three grandchildren, two weddings and numerous high school and college graduations.

"There is not a day that goes by when we don't think of him, how much he must be suffering and what we can do next to bring him home," he said.

"We need American officials to ramp up this engagement as they meet in the next few weeks over Iran's nuclear programne," Levinson said. "We need — in fact, we implore — negotiators to take a more aggressive approach than merely asking for Iran's help in locating him. ... We believe that, if the Iranian government had the will and motivation to locate my father and send him home, they most certainly would."

Ali Rezaian, brother of Jason Rezaian, a reporter from The Washington Post who has been held for more than 300 days for alleged spying, also testified.

Jason Rezaian is being tried in a revolutionary court on allegations of "espionage for the hostile government of the United States" and propaganda against the Islamic republic. The charges could send him to jail for up to six years. Rezaian, his wife Yeganeh Salehi and two photojournalists were detained on July 22 in Tehran. All were later released except Rezaian, who was born and spent most of his life in the United States and holds both American and Iranian citizenship.

His brother, Ali, said: "Let me be very clear: The charges against Jason are false."

Rep. Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the committee, said he is "infuriated" and outraged that Iran, while sitting at the negotiation table, could "spit in our faces" by putting Rezaian on trial. He said he would wait to see the details of any nuclear deal, but thinks it's "ludicrous" for the United States to sign a deal and act as if it's business as usual with Iran when the four continue to be held.

Naghmeh Abedini, wife of Saeed Abedini, a pastor arrested in September 2012 and later sentenced for holding a Bible study session, said she is faced with the choice of staying with their two children or leaving them to travel and advocate for his release. Abedini has been in Iranian custody since September 2012 and was sentenced to eight years in prison for what was termed undermining state security.

"Every day I wake up with excruciating pain... I wake up to the reality of our life," said Naghmeh Abedini, who claimed her husband has been tortured and suffers internal bleeding.

Also testifying was Sarah Hekmati, sister of Amiri Hekmati, a former US Marine who was sentenced to death for alleged espionage. His sentence was later reduced to 10 years.

She broke down in tears as she testified how their father is suffering from terminal brain cancer and has recently suffered several strokes.

"As the eldest son, Amir is needed at home, not only for the care of our father, but for the care of our mother too," she said.

The committee was expected to pass a resolution later in the day calling on Iran to release all Americans held in Iran.