Suozzi Urges State Department Action on Detained Long Islander Held in Iran

Glen Cove, NY - Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) has urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take immediate action to secure the release of Kamran Hekmati, a 70-year-old American citizen and Great Neck resident. Hekmati, who serves on the Great Neck Estates Zoning Board of Appeals, has been unjustly imprisoned in Iran.

In a formal letter sent to Secretary Rubio on Tuesday, November 11th, Congressman Suozzi expressed serious concern over Mr. Hekmati's ongoing detention by the Iranian regime. A dual American-Iranian citizen, Mr. Hekmati was arrested during a routine trip to Iran earlier this year, a trip he had made several times before without incident. The only charge against him, according to reports, is that he attended his son's bar mitzvah in Israel thirteen years ago.

"This case is deeply troubling," said Congressman Suozzi. "Mr. Hekmati is a cherished member of the Long Island community. He is not only a respected public servant serving on the Great Neck Estates Zoning Board of Appeals, but he is also battling an aggressive form of bladder cancer. He must be released immediately on humanitarian grounds."

Suozzi noted that Mr. Hekmati's case has deeply affected the large Persian Jewish community on Long Island and emphasized the broader implications of his detention.

"This imprisonment is part of a dangerous pattern of malign behavior by the Iranian regime."

In his letter, Suozzi made three formal requests of the State Department:

1. Immediate diplomatic engagement to secure Mr. Hekmati's release;

2. A classified update to Congress on ongoing efforts; and

3. A broader threat assessment of Iran's actions against Americans abroad.

"I will not stay silent while one of my constituents suffers under unjust imprisonment by a hostile foreign government," Suozzi said. "This is about more than one man. It's about defending the basic rights of American citizens abroad and standing up to regimes that traffic in hostage diplomacy."

Congressman Suozzi has pledged to continue pressing for answers and action until Mr. Hekmati is safely home with his family.

You can read the full letter on Congressman Suozzi's website here.

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