This is a story that I have been following through the State Department briefings and this is the first story I've seen on the situation. Iran is saying they are "unaware" of the missing former FBI agent.UPDATE: From today's State Department briefing:
QUESTION: Speaking about the Swiss and Iran, the Iranians apparently got back -- according to what Tom said, got back to the Swiss asking for more information about the missing American.
MR. MCCORMACK: Right. We --
QUESTION: Do you know what kind of information they're asking for?
MR. MCCORMACK: I think they're interested in when did he arrive there, how did he arrive there, essentially what was the flight number so they can better determine and track when and where he might have come in to Iran. This -- we take this request for information on the Iranians' part as actually an attempt to try to clarify who this person is, where he came in, in order to help determine where he is and what his current situation is right now. We don't view it as any sort of throwing up any sort of obstacles on their part.
QUESTION: So you think that this is kind of a -- this is a standard --
MR. MCCORMACK: Well, I think it's --
QUESTION: I mean, they're actually trying to be helpful or --
MR. MCCORMACK: I think it's a legitimate request for information. They're trying to -- they're working within their system trying to determine when and where this guy came in and that -- apparently, this information will help them out.
QUESTION: But was that information not given to them at --
MR. MCCORMACK: Apparently not. Apparently, we gave them some basic biographical information and they asked in return for this additional information, which we think is a reasonable and legitimate request. We're going to try to gather it up and provide it to them.
QUESTION: That has not been done yet that you know of?
MR. MCCORMACK: Not that I know of, no. I don't think it has been. I think we're doing that right now.
QUESTION: Okay.
MR. MCCORMACK: Yeah.
QUESTION: In your request to the Iranians, did you ask specifically whether any arm of the Iranian security forces or other officials were holding this particular gentleman?
MR. MCCORMACK: No, we didn't make any presumption as to where he is at the moment. We just asked as a general matter if they had information about his whereabouts and, if so, what was his condition and if they could assist us in putting him in contact with his friends and family and if he desired to leave to assist him in leaving Iran.
