Iranian-Americans who return risk lockup there, U.S. warns

President Donald Trump’s special envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, on Tuesday warned the Iranian diaspora against traveling back to Iran. Iranian-Americans should not trust the Iranian president’s recent invitation to return, and all Americans should avoid traveling there, Boehler said. The risk of wrongful detention was too great, he said.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently called on Iran’s judiciary and intelligence branches to create a framework for Iranian expatriates to return, according to Britain-based Iran International. They should be able to come back comfortably and without fear, he said. Dual citizens and expats have often faced interrogations and prison time after returning to Iran, the outlet reported.

The State Department also released a similar no-travel warning on Friday, saying Iran was conducting an unprecedented witch hunt for regime opponents following its 12-day war with Israel. Iran is already holding at least four American citizens, The New York Times recently reported. 

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