World • 3h ago
Transcript: Namazi, Shargi, Carstens, on "Face the Nation," March 22, 2026
**Deadly Tensions in Iran's Prisons Leave Americans in Peril**
At least four Americans are currently detained in Iran, with two of them, Reza Valizadeh and Kamran Hekmati, designated as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government. They are believed to be held in Iran's notorious Evin Prison. The situation has sparked concerns about the safety of these detainees, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
In June 2025, Israel bombed Evin Prison, but since then, there have been no reports of similar attacks during the current war. However, Iran's foreign minister, in an interview on *Face The Nation*, stated that as long as the U.S. and Israel do not attack their prisons, the detainees are safe. This statement has raised concerns about the vulnerability of the prisoners.
**Emad Shargi, a former detainee, shared his concerns about the situation.** "When there's an issue taking place in Iran, the walls of Evin are like an amplifier," he said. "So when there's a ripple outside in the society, there's a tidal wave inside." Shargi, who was detained in October 2022 during the Mahsa Amini protests, expressed worry about the Americans' safety from both their captors and the country's deteriorating situation. He also mentioned the possibility of inmates targeting the Americans as a form of revenge.
**Siamak Namazi, another former detainee, echoed Shargi's concerns.** "This is as dangerous a time as it can be for foreign detainees in Iran," he said. "They are stuck between a cruel regime that is using them as a pawn in their hostilities and a population that is increasingly frustrated and desperate." Namazi, who has firsthand experience of being held in Evin Prison, emphasized the gravity of the situation and the need for urgent action to ensure the safety of the American detainees.
Roger Carstens, a CBS News contributor and former U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, highlighted the complexities of the situation. "The Iranian regime is using these detainees as leverage in their negotiations with the international community," he said. "It's a delicate situation, and any miscalculation could have devastating consequences."
Neda Sharghi, Emad's sister and a long-time advocate for the release of wrongful detainees, expressed her continued concern for the families of the detained Americans. "We've seen the devastating impact of wrongful detention on families and loved ones," she said. "It's our hope that the international community will come together to ensure the safe release of these Americans."
The situation in Iran's prisons remains precarious, with the lives of the American detainees hanging in the balance. The international community must remain vigilant and take action to ensure their safety and secure their release.