The United States on Tuesday announced sanctions on three purported Iranian intelligence officers over the death of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, despite President Donald Trump's outreach to the adversary for nuclear talks.
"Our investigation continues—we will pursue all options to hold Iran accountable," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
Levinson vanished in March 2007 in Kish, an island that has more lenient visa rules than the rest of Iran, and was said to have been investigating cigarette counterfeiting.
But The Washington Post reported in 2013 that Levinson, who had retired from the FBI, was working for the CIA and had gone on a rogue mission aimed at gathering intelligence on Iran.
The United States said in 2020 that it believed Iran was directly involved in Levinson's likely death and took initial measures.
The latest sanctions identified three purported intelligence officers: Reza Amiri Moghadam, Gholamhossein Mohammadnia, and Taqi Daneshvar.
"All played a role in Mr. Levinson's abduction, probable death, and Iran's efforts to cover up or obfuscate their responsibility," a Treasury Department statement said.
The sanctions block any property or interests the three have in the United States. Iran is already under heavy US sanctions.
The sanctions went ahead despite Trump reaching out to Iran to seek talks on the Islamic republic's disputed nuclear program.
Trump has said he would prefer a peaceful solution but warned of the possibility of military action, an option long mulled by Israel.
AFP
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