White House Says Levinson May No Longer Be in Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - US officials believe Robert Levinson may no longer be in Iran, a White House spokesman said, vowing that the US would keep up the search for the former FBI agent who the US claims disappeared in Iran nine years ago.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Tuesday the US has received assurance from the Iranian government it would search for Levinson. The commitment came amid broader negotiations over the return of several other Americans detained in Iran.
"We're going to hold the Iranians to that commitment," Earnest told reporters at the White House, the Associated Press reported.
Levinson's relatives said Monday they're happy for the families of prisoners released from Iranian custody but wished government officials had warned them he would not be among them.
"We had to learn it from the TV ourselves, and that's very disappointing and heartbreaking," said Robert Levinson's wife, Christine.
US officials claim Robert Levinson disappeared from an Iranian resort on March 9, 2007, while in the country on an unauthorized mission for the CIA. It's unclear where he is.
Tehran has categorically denied any involvement in his disappearance allegedly in the southern Kish Island.
Earnest acknowledged that if Levinson is no longer in the country, the Iran's cooperation in the search may be limited use.
Iran released four American prisoners over the weekend in exchange for the US pardoning or dropping charges against seven Iranians. A fifth American was also released separately.
In discussing the release, President Barack Obama said the US would continue working to find Levinson. But when asked by reporters whether Levinson was still alive, Secretary of State John Kerry said, "We have no idea."
Levinson's family insists he is still alive, even with health issues including diabetes, gout and high blood pressure. They last got some visual record of him in video and photos that were sent about five years ago.
"The people who are working on the case directly, they have told us there is no evidence to suggest my dad is not alive," Dan Levinson said.
"We're not going to give up because obviously we're doing everything we can," he said. "We need to make sure his country is doing the same."
