Detained Post reporter Jason Rezaians family responds to Iran nuclear deal

As Iran, the United States and other world powers announced the parameters of a nuclear deal, the family of detained Washington Post Tehran bureau chief Jason Rezaiancalled on Iranian officials to end the judicial delay that has left him in prison for eight months.

The U.S. Government and our negotiating partners have claimed Iran can upholdan international agreement, Rezaians brother Ali Rezaian said in a statement Thursday. Though in Jasons case, for 254 days, Iran has been unable toenforce their own laws or abide by their existing international human rights commitments.

JasonRezaian has been detained in Tehrans Evin Prison for more than eight months, longer than any American journalist before him. He has not met with an attorney, andlittle has been made known about the charges leveled against him.

All Iran has said is that Its complicated, the familystatement reads. Now that a framework agreement has been announced, things should be less complicated.

[Full Washington Post coverage of Jason Rezaian's detention]

Irans chief nuclear negotiatorMohammed Javad Zarifhas previously saidhe personally knows Rezaian and called hima fair reporter. So I had hoped all along that his detention would be short. But Zarif also said Rezaian is facing charges by the judiciary as an Iranian citizen.

With a deal in hand after months of hard-fought negotiations, Ali Rezaian said Iranian leadership should review theevidence their underlings claim to have against Jason. If they do, we are certain they will seethat Jason has done no harm to Iran. Otherwise, they should ensure the judiciary stop theirinhumane delays, make public their case against Jason and let the World see why they havestolen 8 months of Jasons life.

The 38-year-oldAmerican-born dual national wasarrested on July 22, 2014, with hiswife, Yeganeh Salehi, an Iranian reporter who was eventually released on bail. Jason Rezaian was allowed to briefly receivemedical treatment in February for infections.

On Thursday, Martin Barton, executive editor of The Post, said in a statement that Iran should have ended this cruel and unconscionable charade months ago, and with the talks now adjourned, there can be no excuse for further delay. It is long past time for Irans leaders to demonstrate fairness and a commitment to abide by Irans own rules, which could only result in Jasons immediate release.

[Muhammad Ali urges Iran to free jailed Post reporter Jason Rezaian]

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Detained Post reporter Jason Rezaians family responds to Iran nuclear deal