The White House is demanding that the Iranian government immediately release an American pastor imprisoned there for his Christian faith, while his wife appeals her husband's case to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
According to
Fox News, the Obama administration issued a strong statement Monday in support of Saeed Abedini, following a meeting at the State Department with his attorneys.
"We remain deeply concerned about U.S. citizen Saeed Abedini who has been sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran on charges related to his religious beliefs," the statement said.
Urgent: Is Obama Telling the Truth on IRS, Benghazi Scandals?
"We have reached out to numerous international partners to raise awareness of Mr. Abedini's case and to press Iranian officials to provide him medical attention and to release him," the White House statement continues.
The statement said the administration would continue to press for his release, but acknowledged that the Iranians are refusing to recognize Abedini's U.S. citizenship.
The pastor, who resides in Idaho, was arrested last September after being taken off a bus. He has been sentenced to eight years in prison, where, according to his family, he is often placed in solitary confinement and tortured.
According to Fox News, Abedini was previously arrested in 2009 when he was doing work in Iran developing underground home churches for Christian converts. He was released and allowed to return home to the United States after promising not to help organize anymore underground churches.
But he returned last year, apparently knowing the danger that might lie ahead, to help set up and build a state-run, secular orphanage.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.