Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi has reportedly been detained by the Iranian authorities in Tehran.
Namazi, who apparently is the fourth Iranian-American to be detained in Iran, was taken into custody in mid-October, reported The New York Times. He was detained while visiting his family in Tehran and reportedly lodged in Evin Prison in the Iranian capital.
"Namazi was detained by the intelligence service of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and is currently being held in solitary confinement in Evin prison," a source told Reuters.
Namazi, a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, is currently working as head of strategic planning with Dubai-based conglomerate Crescent Petroleum, according to his biography.
U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby confirmed the reports of Namazi's possible arrest in Iran.
"We're aware of recent reports of the possible arrest in Iran of a US citizen. We're looking into these reports and don't have anything further to provide at this time," said Kirby, according to The Guardian.
The National Iranian American Council (NIAC), a Washington-based group which promotes greater understanding between Iran and the U.S., said that it was deeply trouble by reports about Namazi's detention.
"NIAC is deeply troubled by unconfirmed reports that Siamak Namazi, an Iranian American residing in Dubai, has been detained by Iranian authorities," the organisation said in a statement.
