Bipartisan senators raised US journalist jailed in Iran ahead of Trump team meeting with Iranian delegation at UN

A bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging action to secure the release of an American journalist unjustly imprisoned in Iran. The letter was sent one day before U.S. officials indirectly talked with Iranian officials in New York.

Reza Valizadeh, 49, is a dual Iranian-American citizen and former journalist for Radio Farda, the Persian language news service housed under the U.S. Agency for Global Media. He was arrested in Iran in Sept. 2024 and is serving a 10-year prison sentence for “collaborating” with the U.S.

President Trump’s top envoys for negotiations, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held indirect talks with Iranian officials on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

Asked if Valizadeh’s case was raised in the meeting, the White House pointed to Trump’s record of freeing Americans detained abroad.

“President Trump is always concerned about Americans detained abroad. That is why he has brought over 100 individuals – a record number – home from around the world,” White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, said in a statement.

Rubio declared Valizadeh “wrongfully detained” in May 2025, making his case a priority for U.S. officials to bring up in any talks with Iranian officials.

Iran was declared a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention on Feb. 27, the day before the U.S. and Israel launched attacks against the Islamic Republic, in a war now in its seventh month.

The designation was created by Congress and allows additional sanction authorities to isolate countries and punish their policies of unjust arrests and detentions.

“As partners in the effort to secure Mr. Valizadeh’s release, we ask that his freedom and welfare be an urgent priority through all available diplomatic channels with Iranian officials. We look forward to working with you to bring him home,” the letter read .

It was sent on Monday by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Dave McCormick (R-Penn.) also signed it. Copied on the letter were Witkoff and Adam Boehler, special envoy for hostage response; and Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the president.

CBS News first reported news of the letter.

The senators raise alarm that Valizadeh is currently being held in Evin Prison, “which is notorious for its inhumane conditions and arbitrary executions of political prisoners.”

“His health has significantly deteriorated in custody, where he has consistently been denied medical care, including the inhaler he needs to treat his asthma,” they wrote.

“With every day of continued detention, Mr. Valizadeh’s life is in danger. We are extremely concerned that Iranian authorities could take sudden, arbitrary actions to endanger his life. As you know, Iran is not afraid to use American citizens as political pawns.”