US sanctions three Iranians accused over cover-up and probable death of Bob Levinson

Punitive measures latest move linked to disappearance of former FBI agent Washington believes was abducted in Iran and died in captivity

Former FBI agent Bob Levinson before he went missing on Iran's Kish Island in 2007. AFP

The US has imposed sanctions on three Iranian intelligence officers for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, the Treasury and State departments said in news releases on Tuesday.

The sanctions against Reza Amiri Moghadam, Gholamhossein Mohammadnia and Taqi Daneshvar of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security are the latest linked to the disappearance of the former FBI agent, who Washington believes was abducted in Iran and died in captivity.

As a result of the sanctions, any property of the men under US jurisdiction must be blocked and Americans are generally barred from dealing with them. Foreign citizens could also be blacklisted for dealing with them.

“Iran’s treatment of Mr Levinson remains a blight on Iran’s already grim record of human rights abuse,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “The Department of the Treasury will continue to work with US government partners to identify those responsible and shine a light on their abhorrent behaviour.”

Mr Levinson, who was working as a private investigator, disappeared in March 2007 after travelling to an island controlled by Iran for a meeting seeking information on alleged corruption involving former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

The three sanctioned people all played a role in Mr Levinson's abduction, detention and probable death, as well as efforts to cover up Iran's responsibility, the Treasury Department said.

“Today’s action by our partners at the Department of the Treasury demonstrates that we continue to work together to identify additional Iranian officers involved in Bob’s abduction,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Our investigation continues. We will pursue all options to hold Iran accountable. The FBI will not waver in our commitment to provide answers to the Levinson family about what happened to Bob.”

The sanctions are being imposed under an executive order signed by former president Joe Biden, which seeks to hold to account terrorist organisations, criminal groups and other "malicious actors" who take hostages for financial or political gain.

The US imposed sanctions on two other Iranian officials in December 2020, accusing them of involvement in Mr Levinson's disappearance. Since 2019, the State Department has offered a reward of up to $20 million for information leading to his location, recovery and return, and the identification of those responsible for his disappearance.

Iran has refused to admit culpability for his disappearance, but in 2020, a US judge ruled that Iran was responsible and ordered Tehran to pay damages of $1.46 billion to Mr Levinson's family.

In a statement to The National in 2023, his family said they were "still without answers" and that "those responsible for this heinous crime have still faced no consequences for their actions".