Five Jews remain detained in Iran following Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, including one U.S. national. The American, a New York resident who left Iran roughly 30 years ago, traveled to the Islamic Republic to visit family before the fighting began. The man, who holds dual U.S.-Iranian citizenship, was arrested alongside another Jew of Iranian descent from Los Angeles, who has since been released on bail.
An individual involved in efforts to free the American man described his predicament as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The other detainees were arrested for allegedly posting or liking anti-regime content online, according to Iranian authorities.
Dr. Homayoun Sameh, the Jewish representative in Iran’s parliament, provided an update on the situation on Sunday after a two-hour meeting with the head of the Revolutionary Guards’ court in Tehran and announced that espionage charges against all detainees in the capital have been dismissed.
Discussions with the head of the Alborz province court addressed the remaining detainees’ status, with hopes that ongoing cooperation will soon resolve outstanding issues. Sameh expressed optimism for the swift release of all detainees and a full resolution of their cases.
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Since the war began, at least 35 members of Iran’s Jewish community in Tehran, Shiraz and Alborz province were detained for questioning over suspected ties to Israel. Most have been released, but the five still held face continued efforts for their freedom.
Beyond Jews, Iran also arrested members of other minorities, including Azeris, Kurds and Baha’is, on similar suspicions of collaborating with Israel. These detentions undermine Iran’s official rhetoric of guaranteeing equal rights for its Jewish citizens.
For years, the Islamic Republic has projected an image of providing security and civil liberties to its Jewish community. However, sources within the community report unprecedented pressure on Jews in recent weeks, revealing a stark contrast between the regime’s claims and the reality on the ground.