(MENAFN) An Iranian-American detained in Iran for over seven years on espionage-related accusations has been granted a one-week leave of absence from Tehran's Evin prison, according to his lawyer.
Siamak Namazi's temporary release occurred on the same day that his father, former UN official Baquer Namazi, who was also convicted of espionage, was allowed to leave Iran for medical treatment.
It was unclear whether the steps were a step toward Siamak's full release, or if they signaled the probable furlough or release of additional US nationals jailed in Iran.
Iranian Americans, whose US citizenship is not recognized by Tehran, are frequently used as pawns by the two countries, who are currently at war over whether to resurrect a frayed 2015 agreement under which Iran curtailed its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Soon after Siamak's furlough was announced, Iran's Nournews reported that an unknown regional country had mediated between Tehran and Washington for the "simultaneous release of inmates." According to the semi-official news outlet, "billions of dollars of Iran's blocked assets due to US sanctions will be freed soon."
The Iranian government made no public statement.
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