Iran Frees Haleh Esfandiari
BBC: An Iranian-American academic jailed during a visit to Tehran in May has been freed, the official state news agency Isna has reported.

Detained on security-related charges, Haleh Esfandiari, 67, was released for a bail of 3 billion rial ($320,000; £160,000), according to Isna.

Ms Esfandiari, who works for a research institute in Washington, was jailed while visiting her 93-year-old mother.
Her release comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.

US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe told AFP news agency: "This is encouraging news and the United States welcomes this." Iran frees detained US academic (more)

Mark Alexander

Haleh Esfandiari and Kian Tajbakhsh Appear on Iranian TV

Photos courtesy of the BBC

BBC: Iranian state TV has broadcast a programme based on interviews with two Iranian-American academics who have been detained in Tehran since May.

Haleh Esfandiari and Kian Tajbakhsh are being held on suspicion of spying and endangering Iranian national security.

The academics could face the death penalty if charged and found guilty.

Correspondents say the documentary, In the Name of Democracy, was an apparent attempt to implicate them in a plot to destabilise the government in Tehran.

The programme also included an interview with Ramin Jahanbaglou, an Iranian-Canadian who has been told he cannot leave the country. Detained US-Iranians interviewed (more)

WATCH BBC VIDEO:
Detained US-Iranians on TV

Mark Alexander

Haleh Esfandiari Formally Charged
BBC: Iran's intelligence ministry has charged a prominent Iranian-American academic with trying to overthrow the country's Islamic system of government.

Haleh Esfandiari, who works for a research institute in Washington, was detained in Tehran earlier this month.

Mrs Esfandiari had gone to Iran in December, but was not able to leave after her passport was stolen.

Her husband has told the BBC that she was only involved in innocent academic activities such as conferences.

The US government described the charges as "silly" and "outrageous" and called for her immediate release. Iran formally charges US scholar (more)

Mark Alexander