Summary of "Son of former FBI Agent Bob Levinson, who disappeared in Iran, urges U.S. to hold regime accountable"

Case overview

Robert (Bob) Levinson, a retired FBI agent, disappeared on Kish Island, Iran, on March 9, 2007.
He was working on an unauthorized CIA assignment at the time.
The U.S. government has concluded Levinson died while in Iranian custody.

Daniel Levinson, Bob Levinson’s son, described the family’s long effort to get answers.
He reported repeated stonewalling and lies from Iranian authorities.
Early interactions with the U.S. government were frustrating for the family, though Daniel says those interactions have improved over time.
Daniel says his father had been working as a private investigator for the CIA, investigating corruption and money laundering, and was meeting a contact on Kish Island when he was taken.

“The family accepted the U.S. determination that Levinson died after being shown evidence, but remains devastated and still lacks specifics.”

No remains have been returned to the family.
There is no clear public account of when or where Levinson died.
No Iranian officials have been identified publicly as having ordered or covered up his detention.
The family accepted the U.S. determination of death after being shown evidence, but key specifics and accountability remain missing.

The family seeks:

Daniel noted recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and a perceived weakening of the Iranian regime.
He hopes these changes could create opportunities to:
- Pressure Tehran to provide answers,
- Recover remains,
- Hold responsible officials accountable.
He also pointed to a $25 million U.S. reward for information about his father’s disappearance and suggested that defections or people fleeing Iran could produce new leads.