TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed renewed U.S. allegations implicating Iranian nationals in the disappearance of former FBI agent Robert Levinson nearly 18 years ago, calling the claims unfounded and misleading.
Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that despite repeated accusations, U.S. officials have failed to provide credible evidence that Levinson ever entered Iranian territory or that any incident related to him occurred in Iran. “These are mere reiterations of previous baseless allegations,” he said.
Baghaei criticized Washington’s accusations as an attempt to avoid accountability before its own public. He rejected any Iranian involvement or knowledge of Levinson’s disappearance, condemning the targeting and sanctioning of Iranian citizens in connection with the case as “arbitrary, illegal, and unjustified,” violating international law and human rights norms.
“The U.S. government must be held responsible for such unlawful actions,” Baghaei added.
Levinson went missing in March 2007 after reportedly visiting Iran’s southern Kish Island. His whereabouts remain unknown despite years of investigations and efforts to secure his release.
Initially described by U.S. authorities as a private investigator, Levinson’s family later revealed in 2013 that he was working covertly for the CIA. Over the years, videos and images purportedly of Levinson have been sent to his family, seeking help for his release.
In 2016, the White House stated it had reason to believe Levinson was no longer in Iran. The FBI has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his safe return.