US sanctions Iranian intelligence officers for 'probable death' of American national

​​​​​​​By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions Tuesday on three Iranian intelligence (MOIS) officers for their roles in the 2007 abduction and probable death of former FBI agent Robert Levinson.

The sanctions target Reza Amiri Moghadam; Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Gholamhossein Mohammadnia, MOIS deputy and former ambassador to Albania; and Taqi Daneshvar -- the officer overseeing agents during Levinson's disappearance.

The US agency said they played key roles in Levinson's abduction, probable death and "Iran's subsequent cover-up."

The sanctions freeze all US-based assets of the designated persons and urge Americans from engaging in transactions with them.

"Iran’s treatment of Mr. Levinson remains a blight on Iran’s already grim record of human rights abuse,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

FBI Director Kash Patel vowed continued action. "Our investigation continues—we will pursue all options to hold Iran accountable,” he said.

The State Department said the US will continue its "relentless efforts" to secure the release of all Americans who are held hostage or "wrongfully detained."

The measures build on December 2020 sanctions against two MOIS officers, Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai, involved in the case.

MOIS, Iran's intelligence service, was previously sanctioned by the US in September 2023 for its involvement in "wrongful detentions."

Since November 2019, the State Department has been offering up to $20 million for information leading to the location, recovery and return of Levinson and the identification of those responsible for his disappearance.

Levinson disappeared in Iran in 2007 while on a mission for the CIA. The US confirmed his probable death in 2020 after years of Iranian denials regarding his whereabouts.