Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan on US 'Most Wanted List' for FBI Agent Rober Levinson's murder

Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam, has been added to the Most Wanted List of the US for the abduction of a retired FBI agent Robert 'Bob' Levinson, who vanished in Iran in 2007. Besides Moghadam, two others with close links to the Iranian establishment are also on the list.

While Moghadam is a current diplomat, Taghi Daneshvar has a background in intelligence and counterterrorism operations and Gholamhossein Mohammadnia previously served as Iran’s ambassador to Albania before he was expelled for "damaging its national security."

"These three intelligence officers were among those who allegedly facilitated Bob's 2007 abduction and the subsequent cover-up by the Iranian government. Bob likely later perished in captivity far away from his family, friends, and colleagues," said FBI Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Steven Jensen. "The FBI will continue its relentless pursuit to hold anyone involved in his abduction to account for their reprehensible actions."

The incident happened in 2020 when Levinson disappeared in 2007 during a CIA mission on Iran's Kish Island. Levinson was on an unauthorised mission, and US officials believe he died in Iranian custody.

However, Tehran never acknowledged detaining him, maintaining that he left the country "long ago". Moghadam, Daneshvar, and Mohammadnia allegedly played a role in Levinson’s abduction and detention. The US also accuses Mohammadnia of leading an effort to blame the agent's disappearance on a terrorist group in Pakistan’s Baluchistan region to shift blame away from the Iranian government.

The FBI also released a poster featuring all three. "The FBI is leading the way in holding Iran accountable for the abduction of Bob Levinson, a devoted father and patriotic American," Senator Jim Risch wrote on X.

"These new posters are seeking information related to his kidnapping. We will never forget Bob and his family, and we will hold those responsible to account for their crimes," he added.

Middle East