The following statement is from the FBI in response to the Associated Press article dated July 20, 2017, citing an anonymous U.S. official who stated “many U.S. government officials believe [Robert] Levinson is no longer alive.”
This characterization is not accurate and diminishes the U.S. government’s resolve to safely return Robert (Bob) Levinson home to his family. Bob disappeared from Kish Island, Iran on March 9, 2007. In 2010, a video showing him in captivity was sent to the Levinson family by his captors. As Bob was taken inside Iran, the U.S. government continues to reiterate its call on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to locate Mr. Levinson and return him home to his family.
Levinson is a former Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation agent believed to be currently held as a hostage by the government of Iran.
He disappeared on March 9, 2007, when visiting Iran’s Kish Island while supposedly researching a cigarette smuggling case. U.S. officials believed Levinson had been arrested by Iranian intelligence officials to be interrogated and used as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Washington.
