Lawyer for Americans held in Iran: 'Releasing them is the easiest negotiation task'

A lawyer for an American detained in Iran has stated that the issue of releasing Americans could be the 'easiest negotiation task' for both sides. Iran currently holds six Americans.

Two of the detained Americans are dual Iranian-American citizens, Abdolreza 'Reza' Fallahzadeh (49) and Kamran Hakimzadeh (61), who are imprisoned in Iran's Evin Prison. Ryan Pahlavi, Reza Fallahzadeh's lawyer, argued that the release of detained Americans could be prioritized in the process of seeking a diplomatic solution between the two countries.

The U.S. State Department designated Iran as a 'State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention' in February. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran has been wrongfully detaining Americans as a bargaining chip. The United States has maintained the position that detained Americans must be safely returned.

Ryan Pahlavi, Reza Fallahzadeh's lawyer, mentioned that there were air raid evacuation warnings for residents near Evin Prison. Talks to find a diplomatic solution have faced difficulties.