Obama Calls for Release of Saeed Abedini on Iranian New Year

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Mar 23, 2015

Obama Calls for Release of Saeed Abedini on Iranian New Year

President Obama is making good on his promise to try to bring Pastor Saeed Abedini home to his family. Christian Today reports that Obama made an appeal to release US citizens who have been detained in Iran last Friday (March 20), which was the Nowruz holiday, or Iranian new year. 

In a speech he said, "Saeed Abedini of Boise, Idaho has spent two and a half years detained in Iran on charges related to his religious beliefs. He must be returned to his wife and two young children, who needlessly continue to grow up without their father."

He continued, "The spirit of family is deeply woven into all of the rich cultural traditions of the Nowruz holiday. It is a time for reuniting and rejoicing with loved ones and sharing hopes for the new year. Today, as families across the world gather to mark this holiday, we remember those American families who are enduring painful separations from their loved ones who are imprisoned or went missing in Iran."

Obama also mentioned three other American citizens who are believed to be detained in Iran, Amir Hekmati, Jason Rezaian, and Robert Levinson. 

Publication date: March 23, 2015



Obama Calls for Release of Saeed Abedini on Iranian New Year