Ailing American Held in Iran: A Family's Plea

Kamran Hekmati, a 70-year-old Iranian-American, is currently in a tough spot. He's in Iran's Evin Prison, dealing with bladder cancer. His family is worried sick. They say he was arrested for visiting Israel 13 years ago for his son's bar mitzvah. That trip is now causing him big trouble. Hekmati's family says he was stopped at the airport in May when he tried to go back home to New York. His passport was taken, and his phone and social media were searched. Then, in July, he was arrested. He was sentenced to four years in prison, but later it was reduced to two. The reason? A law that doesn't allow Iranian passport holders to visit Israel. The family is upset because Hekmati didn't have a lawyer during his trial. They've hired one now, but the situation is still dire. Iran doesn't recognize dual nationality, so Hekmati's US citizenship isn't helping him much. The US doesn't have a diplomatic presence in Iran, so Switzerland represents US interests there. But they haven't been allowed to see Hekmati. Rep. Tom Suozzi, who represents Hekmati's state, is urging the State Department to work on his release. He says Hekmati should be freed on humanitarian grounds. Hekmati's family describes him as a loving father, grandfather, and husband. They're hoping for a miracle. The State Department says they can't comment on individual cases but are working on cases of unjust detention in Iran.