Iranian envoy to Pakistan added to FBI’s Most Wanted List

WASHINGTON: The FBI has added three Iranian intelligence officials, including Iran’s current ambassador to Pakistan, to its Most Wanted list for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, who is presumed dead.

The FBI’s Washington Field Office named the individuals as Reza Amiri Moghadam, Taghi Daneshvar, and Gholamhossein Mohammadnia in three separate posts on X.

Reza Amiri Moghadam currently serves as Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan.

“Reza Amiri Moghadam, an official of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security, is wanted for questioning based on his alleged involvement in the abduction, detention, and probable death of retired FBI Special Agent Robert A. Levinson”, said the FBI in a post on X.

Taghi Daneshvar is believed to have experience in intelligence and counterterrorism, while Gholamhossein Mohammadnia previously held the position of Iranian ambassador to Albania.

All three are said to be linked to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), which the US has accused of orchestrating hostage operations and targeting American citizens abroad.

The trio was already under US sanctions for alleged involvement in hostage-taking and wrongful detention of American nationals.

“The FBI is taking the lead in holding Iran accountable for the abduction of Bob Levinson, a patriotic American and loving father,” said Senator Jim Risch in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “We will never forget Bob and will pursue justice for his family.”

Levinson went missing in 2007 during an unauthorised CIA mission on Kish Island in Iran. Although Tehran denies any role in his disappearance, US officials believe he died in Iranian custody. In 2020, Levinson’s family announced they had accepted—based on US intelligence—that he had died while imprisoned in Iran.

Earlier, the FBI had offered a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai, two Iranian intelligence officers accused of masterminding Levinson’s abduction and likely death.