WASHINGTON (Reuters) – An Iranian-American national jailed in Tehran ended a seven-day hunger strike on Monday, saying he had lost 10 pounds but felt strengthened in his resolve to fight for the release of prisoners Americans.
Siamak Namaziwho has been detained since October 2015, said his strike marks the seventh anniversary of Washington’s decision to bar him from a prisoner release that saw five other Americans freed after signing a landmark denuclearization deal with the US. ‘Iran.
Namazi had called on US President Joe Biden to examine the plight of US prisoners in Iran for one minute every day – one “for each of the seven years of freedom he…lost” since the prisoner swap, according to a report. press release issued by his lawyer on Monday.
“I went on a hunger strike because I learned the hard way that American presidents tend to trust their political thermometer more than their moral compass when deciding whether or not to strike a deal on prisoners with Iran,” he said.
“I starved myself for an entire week so maybe President Biden would recognize how desperate the situation for the American hostages here has become.”
According to his lawyer, Namazi lost about 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) and his blood pressure rose above normal levels during the hunger strike. He also struggled to stay warm, the statement said.
Namazi was barred from leaving the country after a 2015 visit and sentenced to 10 years for collaborating with a foreign government, charges he denies and US officials have called unfounded.
After Donald Trump canceled the nuclear deal with Iran, the Biden administration sought to restore it, while also insisting that the pact could not go forward without the release of imprisoned Americans.
But, after painstaking negotiations, Biden acknowledged that the deal was effectively dead.
Tehran generally refuses to recognize dual nationality and earlier this month announced the execution of dual Anglo-Iranian nationality Alireza Akbariconvicted of spying for the UK, a charge he denied.
Siamak Namaziwho has been detained since October 2015, said his strike marks the seventh anniversary of Washington’s decision to bar him from a prisoner release that saw five other Americans freed after signing a landmark denuclearization deal with the US. ‘Iran.
Namazi had called on US President Joe Biden to examine the plight of US prisoners in Iran for one minute every day – one “for each of the seven years of freedom he…lost” since the prisoner swap, according to a report. press release issued by his lawyer on Monday.
“I went on a hunger strike because I learned the hard way that American presidents tend to trust their political thermometer more than their moral compass when deciding whether or not to strike a deal on prisoners with Iran,” he said.
“I starved myself for an entire week so maybe President Biden would recognize how desperate the situation for the American hostages here has become.”
According to his lawyer, Namazi lost about 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) and his blood pressure rose above normal levels during the hunger strike. He also struggled to stay warm, the statement said.
Namazi was barred from leaving the country after a 2015 visit and sentenced to 10 years for collaborating with a foreign government, charges he denies and US officials have called unfounded.
After Donald Trump canceled the nuclear deal with Iran, the Biden administration sought to restore it, while also insisting that the pact could not go forward without the release of imprisoned Americans.
But, after painstaking negotiations, Biden acknowledged that the deal was effectively dead.
Tehran generally refuses to recognize dual nationality and earlier this month announced the execution of dual Anglo-Iranian nationality Alireza Akbariconvicted of spying for the UK, a charge he denied.
