The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation says it remains committed to safely bringing home a former agent who went missing in Iran six years ago this week.
The FBI issued a statement Thursday in the case of Robert Levinson, who has not been publicly seen or heard from since he went missing March 9, 2007. A year ago, the FBI offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Levinson's safe return.
FBI Deputy Director Sean Joyce says that reward remains unclaimed and is encouraging anyone with information about Levinson's disappearance to contact the bureau.
Levinson disappeared while traveling to Iran's Kish Island as a private investigator researching a cigarette-smuggling case.
His wife Christine told VOA Thursday that she had no idea what had happened to him until just over a year ago.
"The first time we saw any pictures was when we received a video in November 2010 and then we received still pictures in April of 2011," she said. "And those were the only two times we heard anything and one of the things we do have is a million-dollar reward."
Levinson's wife said even though the pictures made her sad, she was glad to learn that he was alive.
The United States has sought explanations from Iran, but the Iranians have said they know nothing about Levinson's whereabouts.
The retired FBI agent, who turns 65 March 10, suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. His family is worried that he may not be getting proper medical treatment.
In 2011, the State Department cited reports that Levinson was being held in Southwest Asia in the border region of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.