WASHINGTON — The United States on Tuesday urged Iran to provide information on the fate of a retired FBI agent who disappeared nearly 2,000 days ago while on a trip to the Islamic republic.
"Tomorrow (August 29) marks 2,000 days since US citizen Robert Levinson went missing in Iran on March 9, 2007," US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement.
"Mr. Levinson was last seen on Kish Island and the United States reiterates its call on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide any information on Mr. Levinson's whereabouts and to help ensure his prompt and safe return to his family."
Nuland emphasized that his safe return "continues to be a priority for the US government."
In March, FBI director Robert Mueller promised a reward of $1 million for information leading to Levinson's safe return to the United States.
Levinson, 64, flew to Kish Island on March 8, 2007 to look into cigarette counterfeiting while working as a private investigator for a major corporation. He disappeared the following day.
In 2011, the US State Department said it had information that suggested Levinson was being held in southwest Asia -- likely in the border areas of Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan.
Washington has repeatedly demanded an explanation from Tehran on the Levinson case, but Iranian officials have said they have no information on his whereabouts.
Iran and the United States severed diplomatic relations in April 1980. Tensions between the two countries are high over Tehran's controversial nuclear program and support for the Syrian regime.
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