An American-Iranian journalist, who was once associated with a US government-funded broadcaster, is reported to have been detained for months in Iran, reported news agency Associated Press.

The news came at a time when Iran marked the 45th anniversary of the US embassy hostage crisis and Tehran has been threatening to launch a retaliatory attack on Israel.

According to the US State Department, Reza Valizadeh used to work for Radio Farda, which is an outlet under Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is governed by the US Agency for Global Media. 

Taking to X in February, the journalist wrote on X that his family members have been detained to create pressure on him to return to Iran.

Two messages were posted by Valizadeh in August which suggested that he had gone back to Iran even though Radio Farda was being seen by Iran’s theocracy as a hostile outlet.

“I arrived in Tehran on March 6, 2024. Before that, I had unfinished negotiations with the (Revolutionary Guard’s) intelligence department,” read the message.

“Eventually I came back to my country after 13 years without any security guarantee, even a verbal one,” it added.

Valizadeh also mentioned the name of a person who was reported to belong to the intelligence ministry of Iran.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, Valizadeh was detained on arrival to the country, however, he was later released.

The authorities rearrested Valizadeh and he was sent to Evin prison. He is now facing a case in Iran’s revolutionary court. According to the agency, the court holds closed-door hearings in which secret evidence is produced against the defendants. In 2007, Valizadeh was arrested.

Speaking to the Associated Press, the US State Department said that it was “aware of reports that this dual US-Iranian citizen has been arrested in Iran” while speaking about Valizadeh.

“We are working with our Swiss partners who serve as the protecting power for the United States in Iran to gather more information about this case,” said the State Department. 

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“Iran routinely imprisons US citizens and other countries’ citizens unjustly for political purposes. This practice is cruel and contrary to international law,” he added.

Meanwhile, the non-governmental organisation the Committee to Protect Journalists – which has headquarters in the United States – said that it was “alarmed” by reports of arrest of Valizadeh.

“Iranian authorities must immediately release journalist Reza Valizadeh and drop any charges levied against him,” said Yeganeh Rezaian, the head of the committee’s Middle East and North Africa programmes, in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)