Daughter of American Hostage in Iran Criticizes Biden Administration for Diplomatic Failure

Gazelle Sharmahd, the daughter of Jamshid Sharmahd, a permanent U.S. resident who is wrongfully detained in Iran, has expressed her disappointment and frustration with the Biden administration for not including her father in a recent prisoner swap with Iran. Jamshid Sharmahd, who was sentenced to death by the Iranian regime, remains on death row despite the U.S. government's efforts to secure the release of other American hostages.

In a recent statement, Gazelle Sharmahd criticized the Biden administration's lack of action and response on behalf of her father, stating that this oversight represents not just a diplomatic failure but a betrayal of American values. She questioned why the American public has not been informed about her father's situation, who was allegedly kidnapped by Iranian authorities in 2020 and has been subjected to torture and abandonment.

“Why in hell would we leave the one American hostage in Iran on death row?” Gazelle said. “This oversight represents not just diplomatic failure but a betrayal of American values.”

Gazelle Sharmahd, along with the families of other Americans detained abroad, including in China, Afghanistan, Syria, and Russia, urged U.S. lawmakers to secure their immediate release. They met with the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations to discuss how Congress can help bring their loved ones home. The families represented include those of Ryan Corbett, Austin Tice, Majd Kamalmaz, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter arrested in Russia in March 2023.

The families called for the use of congressional power to obtain more information from the administration and for the formal designation of their loved ones as 'wrongfully detained,' which would elevate their cases to the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs to lead efforts to win their release. Paul Beckett, representing Evan Gershkovich, expressed gratitude that Gershkovich was quickly designated as 'wrongfully detained' and hoped that every American detained abroad could be brought home.

Why this matters: The plight of American citizens wrongfully detained in foreign countries continues to be a pressing issue, with families desperately seeking the U.S. government's intervention and support. The criticism of the Biden administration's handling of Jamshid Sharmahd's case highlights the need for a more proactive and effective approach in securing the release of all Americans held hostage abroad.

As the families of the detained Americans continue to plead for more information and action from the U.S. government, the Biden administration faces increasing pressure to prioritize the safe return of these individuals. Anna Corbett, whose husband Ryan Corbett has been detained in Afghanistan, expressed frustration at the lack of information about the steps being taken to rescue him. Gazelle Sharmahd's criticism of the administration's diplomatic failure and betrayal in not securing her father's release serves as a reminder of the urgency and importance of this issue.

Key Takeaways

• Gazelle Sharmahd criticizes Biden admin for not securing her father's release from Iran.
• Families of Americans detained abroad urge U.S. lawmakers to secure their immediate release.
• Families seek formal 'wrongfully detained' designation to elevate cases to special envoy.
• Evan Gershkovich, a WSJ reporter, was quickly designated as 'wrongfully detained' in Russia.
• Families express frustration at lack of information and action from U.S. government.