FBI Releases ‘Seeking Information’ Poster for Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan
In a shocking move, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released a “seeking information” poster for three senior Iranian intelligence officers, including Reza Amiri Moghadam, who is currently serving as Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan. The FBI believes the three were involved in the abduction of retired FBI Special Agent Robert A “Bob” Levinson from Iran’s Kish Island in 2007.
The poster, which features mugshots and basic descriptions of the three individuals, was released on November 17, 2022, and has sparked a heated debate on the diplomatic implications of the move. According to the FBI, the three individuals involved in Levinson’s abduction are:
- Reza Amiri Moghadam, currently serving as Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan
- Saeed Abdolghadir Hashemi, a senior Iranian intelligence officer
- Mohsen Aghajari, another high-ranking Iranian intelligence official
Levinson, a 61-year-old former FBI agent, was working as a private consultant in Iran at the time of his disappearance. He was visiting Kish Island to investigate cigarette trafficking when he was taken away by Iranian authorities. Despite numerous efforts by the FBI and the US government to secure his release, Levinson remains missing to this day.
The FBI’s decision to release the poster comes as a significant development in the long-standing case, which has seen numerous twists and turns over the years. In 2013, the FBI released a video showing Levinson, who was being held captive by Iranian officials, pleading for his life. The video was released in exchange for a promise from the US government to release three Iranian diplomats held in the US.
In recent years, the US and Iran have been engaged in a tense standoff over various issues, including the 2015 nuclear deal and the US withdrawal from the agreement in 2018. The FBI’s move has sparked concerns about the potential implications on US-Iran relations, with some experts warning that it could further escalate tensions between the two countries.
Pakistan, which has historically maintained good relations with both the US and Iran, is also caught in the midst of the controversy. The country’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Asim Iftikhar, has stated that Moghadam is “widely respected” for his role as ambassador, and that Pakistan values its relations with both the US and Iran.
The timing of the FBI’s move is also significant, coming just weeks before the US midterm elections. The incident has sparked a heated debate on social media, with some calling for the US to take a tougher stance on Iran, while others have expressed concerns about the potential risks of engaging in a high-stakes diplomatic crisis.
In the midst of the controversy, the FBI has reiterated its commitment to securing Levinson’s safe return and bringing those responsible for his abduction to justice. The agency has also urged anyone with information about the three individuals to come forward and assist in the investigation.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US, Iran, and Pakistan will respond to the FBI’s move. One thing is certain, however – the disappearance of Robert Levinson and the subsequent investigation have highlighted the complex and often fraught nature of international relations.
