Reza Valizadeh, a U.S.-Iranian journalist detained in Evin Prison since 2024, sent an audio message to CBS News describing severely limited medical care, alleged theft of family-sent medicines, and the return of tuberculosis among inmates. He said family visits have been restricted and that authorities transferred non-political prisoners into his ward to undermine unity. Valizadeh also reported that fellow detainee Kamran Hekmati was returned to prison before completing approved medical leave and without receiving chemotherapy. Advocates and his attorney urged U.S. negotiators to prioritize the release of wrongfully detained Americans.
U.S. Journalist Reza Valizadeh Sends Urgent Audio From Evin Prison Detailing Dire Medical Conditions
File: Kamran Hekmati / Credit: Foley Foundation
CBS News this week obtained a new audio message recorded inside Iran's notorious Evin Prison by U.S.-Iranian journalist Reza Valizadeh, his attorney Ryan Fayhee confirmed. Valizadeh — who last reached out in June — asked that his most recent statement be made public.
Valizadeh, a dual Iranian-American who formerly worked for Radio Free Europe’s Persian service, has been detained in Iran since 2024. The U.S. State Department considers him wrongfully detained. He is one of five U.S. citizens still believed to be held in Iran; two are at Evin and three others are reportedly subject to exit bans that bar them from leaving the country.
Prison Conditions and Medical Concerns
In the recording provided to CBS News, Valizadeh describes extremely limited medical care in the prison, the return of serious infectious diseases, and alleged theft of medicines sent by families. He warns that a fellow inmate showed symptoms consistent with tuberculosis — including coughing up blood and severe weight loss — and that prisoners generally receive only basic medications, if any. Valizadeh said family visits have been restricted for months, a move he believes is punitive.
He also said prison food quality is poor and that many prisoners refuse meals. Authorities have, according to Valizadeh, transferred non-political inmates (primarily those convicted of financial crimes) into his ward, a move he sees as an attempt to erode unity among political prisoners.
File: Reza Valizadeh / Credit: Courtesy of Valizadeh Family
Concerns for Fellow Detainee Kamran Hekmati
Valizadeh expressed concern for fellow American Kamran Hekmati, who was recently ordered back to prison after a medical furlough lasting less than 30 days. Advocates say Hekmati sought treatment for what is believed to be recurrent cancer but was unable to receive chemotherapy while on leave. Hekmati, a Jewish Iranian-American from New York who will soon turn 62, was arrested following the 12-day Israel–Iran war in 2025 on charges related to prior travel to Israel. The State Department also regards Hekmati as wrongfully detained.
CBS News shared Valizadeh’s account with Iran’s mission to the United Nations; the mission declined to comment.
U.S. Response and Legal Advocacy
Valizadeh’s attorney, Ryan Fayhee, urged U.S. leadership to prioritize the release of Americans the State Department deems wrongfully detained during negotiations with Iran. In June, a U.S. administration official told CBS News the government was closely tracking Valizadeh’s case and working to secure the release of U.S. citizens detained in Iran.
Valizadeh acknowledged the risks of sending the message but said he was desperate. Below is the portion of his voice memo that was cleared for release by his attorney and advocates:
We, the prisoners of Evin Prison, have been denied access to the prison library and sport facilities for more than a year. Medical care in the prison is almost non-existent. Only the most basic medications are available.
Even worse, many medicines purchased and delivered by prisoners' families are stolen by prison staff before reaching the prisoners. The prison's doctors are rude, unmotivated and lack professional competence. As a result, most prisoners avoid seeking medical treatment unless they have no other choice.
Diseases that were eradicated decades ago have returned inside the prison, including pulmonary and gastrointestinal tuberculosis. One prisoner suffered TB symptoms, including coughing up blood and severe weight loss for six months. He was sent to a hospital outside the prison only when his condition became life-threatening. Before that, he had lived in close quarters with other prisoners for about 10 months. No one knows how many inmates may have been exposed to or infected with tuberculosis.
Because of the poor quality of prison food, most prisoners refuse to eat the meals provided by the prison. Recently, authorities have started transferring non-political prisoners, mainly those convicted of financial crimes, from other prisons into our ward. This appears to be an attempt to weaken the unity of political prisoners and change the composition of our ward. Our ward already lacks the space and facilities to accommodate more prisoners.
Whenever prisoners raise even minor protests about prison conditions, they are punished by losing family visits and phone calls. For example, I have not been allowed to see my family for the past five months. Part of this has been imposed as punishment, while the rest has been justified by the authorities due to the wartime situation.
Regarding other American citizens imprisoned in Evin, my knowledge is limited to Kamran Hekmati. Based on what I know, there are no other U.S. citizens in my ward, and they are most likely being held in another prison.
Kamran Hekmati, an Iranian American prisoner, was guaranteed medical leave for cancer treatment. However, after only one month and before the end of his approved 45-day medical furlough, he was ordered back to prison. This happened even though his leave should have been extended so he could begin chemotherapy.
Note: CBS News verified receipt of the audio and the transcript was cleared for publication by Valizadeh’s legal team and advocates.
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