Iranian-American Released From Tehran Prison, Barred From Leaving Iran

Kamran Hekmati, a 71-year-old Iranian-American dual citizen, has been released from Evin Prison in Tehran after serving approximately one year of his sentence. The release occurred on Saturday evening, according to Radio Farda, citing Iranian sources. However, Hekmati remains in Iran due to an existing travel ban, and Iranian authorities have not yet officially confirmed his release or the terms under which he was freed.

Hekmati was arrested in the summer of 2025 upon arriving in Iran to visit relatives. He was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison for a trip to Israel he took 13 years prior to attend his son's bar mitzvah. This sentence was later reduced to two years, and then to one year, following changes in Iranian law. Hekmati's family and advocacy groups stated that his trial lasted only about 10 minutes and proceeded without witnesses or legal counsel. Hekmati maintained that his trip to Israel predated the period for which Iranian law allows such travel to be punished.

Hekmati, born in Iran, later moved to Great Neck, New York, where he worked in the jewelry business. He maintained ties to Iran and continued to visit the country. His 2025 visit, however, occurred amid heightened tensions, and Iranian authorities detained him and sent him to Evin Prison. Concerns were also raised about his health, as he suffers from bladder cancer and requires regular medical care, which his family reported he did not receive adequately in Evin.

In March, Reuters reported Hekmati was among American citizens and permanent residents detained or prevented from leaving Iran. Iran does not recognize dual nationality, complicating consular assistance for its citizens holding Iranian passports. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio had previously called Hekmati's detention unlawful. His case is part of a broader pattern of Tehran detaining individuals with U.S. ties on security-related charges. While Hekmati is now free from prison, the travel ban means he cannot yet return home, and the duration of this restriction remains unknown.