WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The future of talks with the regime remains unclear, but when the United States gets back to the negotiating table with Iran, the organizations argue that “[t]he United States must send a clear message: the wrongful detention or hostage-taking of Americans will never be tolerated, forgotten, or deprioritized. Our adversaries must understand that harming or holding Americans carries sustained diplomatic consequences, and our citizens must know that their government will relentlessly pursue their return.”
Speaking about this latest effort, the family of Robert Levinson said:
“We are grateful to AJC and Ted Deutch for leading this effort. For 19 years, Iran has refused to account for our father, Bob Levinson — the longest-held American hostage. For 19 years, our family has missed out on his extraordinary presence — his unwavering love, wisdom, generosity, and support. Every day, but especially at the holidays, we are reminded of the enormous pain his absence has caused: the empty seat at our family gatherings, and the ten grandchildren who know their heroic Grandpa Bob only through stories, pictures, and videos. We still await the day he can finally rest on American soil.
“It is appalling that one of the Iranian officials now at the negotiating table with the United States is sanctioned by the Treasury Department and wanted by the FBI for his role in Bob’s kidnapping and the cover-up that followed.
“President Trump has brought more than 70 Americans home since January 2025. We urge him to make Bob and every American held in Iran a priority in these talks — and to demand that the men responsible for our father’s abduction finally account for what they did. After 19 years, please help our family get the truth we need to move forward, and give our heroic father the justice he so rightfully deserves.”
Following Hamas’ October, 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israel, AJC advocated side-by-side with more than 50 hostage families—during their visits to the United States and Europe—to keep their stories front of mind for officials at the highest levels of leadership across society, including with more than 200 members of Congress, multiple national media outlets, the U.S. State Department, major U.S. administration officials, high-ranking diplomats, faith leaders, and more.
The fight to bring home the Americans currently held in Iran is personal for AJC CEO Ted Deutch, a former Member of Congress, who represented Robert Levinson and his family during his time in the House of Representatives. Deutch was the author of the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, which was signed into law in 2020. In 2021, Deutch co-founded the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad.
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Preceding provided by the American Jewish Committee.