Ryan Fayhee, a lawyer representing detained American journalist Reza Valizadeh, said the release of United States citizens held in Iran should be the 'easiest problem on the table' as Tehran and Washington navigate fragile negotiations aimed at ending ongoing conflict. He emphasized that securing the freedom of wrongfully detained Americans could help build trust between the two sides during diplomatic talks.

Iran is currently holding six Americans, including dual citizens Valizadeh and Kamran Hekmati, who are imprisoned in Evin Prison. Because Iran does not recognize their American citizenship, they are denied traditional consular services. The United States has formally designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, citing its long-standing practice of using foreign detainees as political leverage.

Valizadeh was arrested in September 2024 while visiting family and later sentenced on charges of working with a hostile government, following his previous journalism covering pro-democracy protests. While some former officials have warned that negotiating with Iran can be difficult due to its history of broken promises, Fayhee argued that releasing detained Americans would be a simple and meaningful step for Tehran to demonstrate goodwill and reduce its growing international isolation.