Iran formally charges Washington Post reporter with Bay Area ties

Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter, is shown in Tehran, Iran, on April 11, 2013. He has been detained in Iran for more than four months was formally charged Saturday. (AP Photo Vahid Salemi)

WASHINGTON -- A Washington Post reporter from Marin, detained in Iran for more than four months, was formally charged Saturday after a day-long proceeding in a Tehran courtroom, the newspaper reported.

Jason Rezaian, the newspaper's bureau chief in Tehran since 2012, appeared in court almost five months after he was arrested July 22. The charges were the first against him since the arrest, the Post said.

The newspaper, quoting a source familiar with the case, said the nature of the charges against him were not immediately clear to those not present in the courtroom. The State Department has repeatedly raised the subject of Rezaian and other Americans jailed in Iran during talks with the government about a deal to curb Iran's nuclear capacity and ease international sanctions.

His detention has been extended to mid-January in recent days because the investigation is continuing, the Post said.

His family has hired an attorney for him, but his lawyer has not been permitted to visit him.

Rezaian, his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, and two other American photojournalists were initally detained. Salehi was released on bail early in October.

Rezaian, 38, holds both American and Iranian citizenship. Salehi is an Iranian citizen who has applied for U.S. permanent residency and works as a correspondent for a newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates.

Rezaian was born in Marin and grew up in San Rafael. According to a LinkedIn page, Rezaian attended Marin Academy from 1992 to 1994.

Marie Carr, Rezaian's real estate agent, said at the time he was detained, "He is one of the most genuine, good-hearted men I know. It's just unbelievable to hear this report. He knew he was going into a dangerous area, but he really seemed to take to it. The last few years, we thought everything was on a positive note (in Iran)."

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Iran formally charges Washington Post reporter with Bay Area ties