The Forgotten American Hostages: The Case of Jamshid Sharmahd

In the midst of recent negotiations between the US and Iran, a glaring issue has been overlooked – the fate of several American nationals unjustly held in Iran, including Jamshid Sharmahd. Despite the Biden Administration's claims of seeking to free ALL American hostages, there is a disconnect in their actions. The truth is, there are still American hostages left behind, and their safety should not be compromised for the sake of political convenience. The US is currently negotiating the release of five American hostages, a deal that includes unfreezing Iranian assets worth over $16 billion and releasing convicted Iranian prisoners. Despite Secretary Blinken’s assertion that all American hostages are being accounted for, this is blatantly false. At least three US nationals, including Jamshid Sharmahd, Shahab Dalili, and Afshin Shekholesami Vaatani, are still held captive.

Sharmahd, a US resident for the past two decades, was on his path to gaining US citizenship before being kidnapped by the Islamic regime. He, along with Dalili and Vaatani, qualify as American hostages under the Levinson Act, which protects US nationals, including permanent residents with substantial ties to the US. Yet, despite these clear stipulations, the State Department continues to overlook their plight. The State Department's argument that the deal cannot be adjusted to include these hostages is not only flawed but also dishonest. The original deal included only three US hostages, but two more were added recently. These additions raise questions about why some hostages are prioritized over others.

The State Department's nebulous criteria for designating hostages and their inclusion in such deals are a disservice to those like Sharmahd, who have been held captive for years. Moreover, the State Department's argument for the deal under the guise of American safety is hypocritical. If American safety were indeed a priority, the administration would not engage in a ransom payment scheme that encourages further hostage-taking. Nor would it leave behind an American hostage like Sharmahd, who has been subjected to transnational repression and is at imminent risk of execution due to a standing death penalty. The State Department's assertion that Germany will take care of Sharmahd, who also holds German citizenship, is questionable at best. Germany has not publicly demanded the release of its hostages held in Iran. Instead, it has only called for better prison conditions and the removal of death sentences, a far cry from demanding their release.

Both the US and Germany are shirking their responsibility to free Sharmahd, who is in dire health and under constant physical and psychological torture. His life hangs in the balance, and yet, he is being overlooked. In a time when Iran is facing economic turmoil, internal unrest, and international criticism, it is unacceptable to leave any hostages behind, particularly those with death sentences or at imminent risk of execution. The US and Europe should halt any negotiations with Iran until the safety and return of all hostages can be guaranteed. The world must stand together to end the regime's hostage diplomacy and demand the release of all hostages. Anything less than that is a failure of democratic values and human rights.

If we cannot ensure the safety and freedom of our citizens, we give a green light to regimes like Iran to continue their reign of terror. Our actions, or lack thereof, in prioritizing the release of all hostages, including Jamshid Sharmahd, will either embolden or deter the Iranian regime from continuing its transnational repression and hostage-taking tactics. It is imperative that we stand united, increase systematic pressure and sanctions, and demand the safe return of all hostages until their freedom is secured. No one should be left behind, and no one's life should be endangered in the pursuit of justice.