The U.S. State Department welcomed the release of Kamran Hekmati, an Iranian-Jewish American citizen, from prison in Iran, and at the same time called for the immediate release of Reza Velayezadeh, a journalist and Iranian-American citizen.

The ministry said that the Islamic Republic should lift the ban on Hekmati’s departure. Hekmati was released from Evin Prison on Shahrivar 14, but remains in Iran due to the travel ban.

The U.S. State Department also said: “The regime must immediately release Reza Velayezadeh and other Americans who are unjustly imprisoned in Iran.”

Velayezadeh, a former Radio Farda journalist, returned to Iran on Esfand 16, 1402, after 14 years. Following his arrest and interrogation, he was handed over to the agents of the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and transferred to the Intelligence Ministry detention facility, known as Evin’s Ward 209.

He was sentenced by the Islamic Revolutionary Court to 10 years in prison and additional punishments. The campaign “Bring Our Families Home” has also asked the Islamic Republic and the U.S. government to take action for the release of Velayezadeh.