politics
From inside Iran's Evin Prison, journalist Reza Valizadeh pleads for medical help for him and other American captives
Updated on: June 5, 2026 / 12:16 AM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh is pleading for medical help from inside Evin Prison.
- He states that he and three other Americans are suffering from various diseases and deprived of medical services.
- Valizadeh's lawyer reports he has health issues including difficulty speaking, back pain, and dental problems.
- The U.S. State Department believes six Americans are detained in Iran, but their release is not part of current truce negotiations.
- Valizadeh questions why the U.S. released Iranian sailors without securing the release of detained Americans.
- He was designated 'wrongfully detained' by the U.S. government in May 2025.
- Valizadeh returned to Iran believing it was safe but suspects he was lured into a trap by Iranian authorities.
- He refused to cooperate with Iranian intelligence against his former employer, Radio Farda.
- Valizadeh was arrested by IRGC agents, had his passport confiscated, and was charged with 'collaborating with a hostile government'.