US senators urge Iran to release imprisoned journalist Reza Valizadeh
A bipartisan group of US senators urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make Reza Valizadeh’s release an urgent priority. The American journalist has been imprisoned in Iran since 2024 and is serving a 10-year sentence, while lawmakers warn that his health has deteriorated.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
What happened
Senators Brian Schatz, Marsha Blackburn, Jacky Rosen and Dave McCormick signed a letter urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to use available diplomatic channels to secure Valizadeh’s release. [1][2][3]
References for this detail (3)
- Bipartisan senators press Rubio to prioritize release of American journalist held in Irancbsnews.com · Recorded source date: Sep 22, 2026, 5:46 PM UTC
- US senators seek journalist's release from Iranprokerala.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 2:46 AM UTC
- US senators seek journalist's release from Iranianslive.in · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 2:16 AM UTC
Valizadeh, a US citizen and former Radio Farda journalist, has been imprisoned in Iran since September 2024 and is serving a 10-year sentence for collaborating with a hostile government, according to the reports. [1][2][3]
References for this detail (3)
- Bipartisan senators press Rubio to prioritize release of American journalist held in Irancbsnews.com · Recorded source date: Sep 22, 2026, 5:46 PM UTC
- US senators seek journalist's release from Iranprokerala.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 2:46 AM UTC
- US senators seek journalist's release from Iranianslive.in · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 2:16 AM UTC
The senators said Valizadeh’s health has deteriorated and that his life could be at risk. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Bipartisan senators press Rubio to prioritize release of American journalist held in Irancbsnews.com · Recorded source date: Sep 22, 2026, 5:46 PM UTC
The reports say Rubio formally recognised Valizadeh as wrongfully detained in May 2025. [2][3]
References for this detail (2)
- US senators seek journalist's release from Iranprokerala.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 2:46 AM UTC
- US senators seek journalist's release from Iranianslive.in · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 2:16 AM UTC
Context from the sources
The senators described the detention as part of a broader pattern in which Iran targets journalists and dual nationals, according to their letter. [1]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
3 source links · 3 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
1 of these links repeat a headline already present, allowing for punctuation and publisher branding. Repeated wording is not additional confirmation.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] Bipartisan senators press Rubio to prioritize release of American journalist held in Irancbsnews.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3
- [3] US senators seek journalist's release from Iranianslive.inReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 4
- [2] US senators seek journalist's release from Iranprokerala.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 4
What this could mean for you
Continued detention and worsening health could create an urgent consular and diplomatic protection issue for the United States.
Valizadeh is an imprisoned US citizen whom senators say is in declining health and may be at risk.
Reported basis: [1][2][3] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: His detention continues without a diplomatic agreement or adequate medical access.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Iran rejects the diplomatic appeal or Valizadeh’s health deteriorates further.
Pressure eases if…
Iran releases Valizadeh or agrees to meaningful diplomatic and medical access.
Still unclear
The sources do not establish whether Iran has accepted the senators’ request or whether negotiations are underway.
The sources do not provide a current medical diagnosis or a confirmed account of Valizadeh’s treatment in custody.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (3)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
September 22, 2026 / 1:16 PM EDT / CBS News A bipartisan group of senators is urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make the…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Washington, Sep 23 : A bipartisan group of US senators has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure the release…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Washington, Sep 23 (IANS) A bipartisan group of US senators has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure the release…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.