American Citizen Kamran Hekmati Detained in Iran Amid Health Concerns

Kamran Hekmati, a 70-year-old Iranian-American and Jewish citizen, has been detained in Iran since May 2025 after attempting to return to the United States. His arrest stems from a visit to Israel 13 years prior for his son’s bar mitzvah, which led to a four-year prison sentence under Iranian law prohibiting Iranian passport holders from traveling to Israel. Following an appeal, his sentence was reduced to two years. Hekmati is currently imprisoned in Tehran's Evin Prison, where he is suffering from bladder cancer.

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Hekmati was stopped at the airport while trying to leave Iran, where authorities seized his passport and searched his phone and social media accounts. Family members reported that he was interrogated and subsequently arrested during the heightened tensions surrounding the "Twelve Day War" between Israel and Iran in July 2025. Despite being a U.S. citizen, Iran does not recognize dual nationality, complicating his situation further.

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Hekmati's family has expressed serious concerns about his health, particularly given his cancer diagnosis. They have sought legal representation and filed an appeal for his release. The U.S. State Department, which lacks a diplomatic presence in Iran, has not been able to provide direct assistance, as Switzerland, which represents U.S. interests, has not been granted access to Hekmati.

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Representative Tom Suozzi, who represents Hekmati's district in New York, has called on the State Department to act urgently for his release on humanitarian grounds. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Suozzi emphasized Hekmati's standing as a respected member of the community and highlighted the alarm his case has caused among constituents, particularly within the Persian Jewish community on Long Island.

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A State Department spokesperson stated that they could not comment on individual cases due to safety and privacy considerations but affirmed ongoing engagement with allies regarding unjust detentions in Iran.

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Critics of Iran's treatment of dual nationals and foreign citizens have pointed to Hekmati's case as part of a broader pattern of arbitrary detentions. The U.S. State Department has previously warned that individuals with U.S. connections face significant risks of questioning and arrest in Iran, raising concerns about the safety of American citizens abroad.

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• “This case has deeply alarmed my constituents, particularly within the large Persian Jewish community on Long Island, and among his colleagues in the government of the Village of Great Neck Estates where he serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals,” — Rep. Tom Suozzi

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• “We continue to engage with allies and partners on this issue and on cases of unjust detention in Iran in general,” — State Department Spokesperson

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Kamran Hekmati's detention highlights the complexities faced by dual nationals in Iran and raises urgent humanitarian concerns regarding his health and well-being. As family members and officials advocate for his release, the situation underscores the broader implications of U.S.-Iran relations and the risks posed to American citizens abroad.

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