Iran Holding Six Americans Hostage as Leverage in Nuclear Negotiations

Clear Facts

• Six American citizens are currently wrongfully detained in Iranian prisons, previously held in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison
• Former hostage envoy Roger Carstens warns Iran is uniquely untrustworthy compared to Russia, China, and even the Taliban in negotiations
• The hostages are expected to be used as a “sweetener” by Iran during nuclear deal and ceasefire talks with the United States

A former lead hostage negotiator under both the first Trump and Biden administrations is sounding the alarm about Iran’s negotiating tactics as the United States pursues peace talks. Roger Carstens, the former Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, warns that Iran stands apart from other adversarial nations when it comes to trustworthiness at the negotiating table.

Six American citizens remain wrongfully detained in Iranian prisons, each previously held in Tehran’s Evin prison, known internationally for its brutal conditions. Carstens believes Iran will strategically deploy these American hostages as bargaining chips to manipulate nuclear deal negotiations in their favor.

“Strangely, the Russians, the Chinese, the Taliban, the Venezuelans, when you start getting into hostage discussions, they tell the truth and they stick to what they promise. You can do a handshake deal with the Taliban, and they’re going to follow through.”

“The Iranians. Absolutely not.”

Despite his confidence that U.S. negotiators can ultimately secure the Americans’ return, Carstens emphasizes that Iran operates differently from any other foreign government he’s dealt with. The regime cannot be trusted, he warns, and Iranian negotiators are prone to deception until the final moment of any agreement.

“You cannot trust the Iranians up until the last second.”

“If you were landing a plane in either Geneva or even Tehran, to get your Americans, you better be out there with a clipboard making sure that the people coming on the plane are the people that you bargained for.”

Only two of the six American hostages have been publicly identified: Kamran Hekmati, 61, and Reza Valizadeh, 49. Hekmati, a Jewish American who also holds Iranian citizenship, was imprisoned 11 months ago after being charged and convicted of visiting Israel in the past decade.

Valizadeh, who also holds dual Iranian and American citizenship, previously worked for U.S.-funded Radio Farda, where he reported on corruption and election manipulation in Iran. He was arrested in September 2024 during a family visit and was subsequently sentenced after being convicted of working with a hostile government.

Carstens doubts there was sufficient time to discuss the Americans’ release during the 21-hour marathon peace talks held in Pakistan earlier this month. However, he believes Iran will strategically keep the hostages in good condition to use as negotiating leverage when the time is right.

“I think the Iranians are going to be smart enough to keep these people healthy and ready to throw on to a negotiating table.”

“The question in my mind during these negotiations is not whether they’ll be at risk or pulled off, but rather, what’s it going to take, and how will we, the United States, value them [the hostages]?”

President Donald Trump has outlined four objectives for ending the Iran conflict but does not currently include the release of American hostages among them. Carstens is advocating for making hostage release a fifth official objective in all negotiations.

“Let’s make this an official ask, and when we go in, not only ask for it officially, but hold ourselves accountable to getting the job done.”

“The good news is Trump has a great record in bringing Americans home.”

A senior White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital that future peace talks with Iran are under discussion, though no meetings have been scheduled. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly emphasized the administration’s commitment to detained Americans.

“President Trump is always concerned about Americans detained abroad, which is why he has brought over 100 individuals — a record number — home from around the world.”

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