    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [June 1, 2007]
    [Pages 678-679]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the American Citizens Held in Iran
    June 1, 2007

        Several of our fellow American citizens--including Haleh
    Esfandiari, Parnaz Azima, Kian Tajbakhsh, and
    Ali Shakeri--are being held against their will
    by the Iranian regime. I strongly condemn their detention at the hands
    of Iranian authorities. They should be freed immediately and
    unconditionally.
        These individuals have dedicated themselves to building bridges
    between the American and Iranian people, a goal the Iranian regime
    claims to support. Their presence in Iran--to visit their parents or to
    conduct humanitarian work--poses no threat. Indeed, their activities are
    typical of the abiding ties that Iranian Americans have with their land
    of origin.
        I am also disturbed by the Iranian regime's refusal so far to
    provide any information on Robert Levinson,
    despite repeated U.S. requests. I call on Iran's leaders to tell us what
    they know about his whereabouts.
        The United States is committed to protecting its citizens at home
    and abroad. We will maintain our efforts on behalf of these citizens
    until all of them are reunited with their families.

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