Iran has released from detention an Iranian-American businessman who was jailed seven years ago during a visit to Tehran, and his elderly father, the United Nations said in a statement on Saturday.
The announcement comes as indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. over how to revive the 2015 nuclear deal remain stalled and as Tehran’s leadership faces mounting pressure at home while anti-government protests continue to grip the country amid a violent crackdown by security forces.
Siamak Namazi, who became the longest-held U.S.-Iranian detained in Iran, was arrested in October 2015 and later handed a 10-year prison sentence for “colluding with foreign countries.” The U.N. statement didn’t say whether Namazi is able to leave the country or give any details about the conditions of his release.
