U.S. "aware" of jailed Iranian-American pastor in Iran

Saeed Abedini / Facebook

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates The U.S. State Department says it is in contact with the family of a man described by activists as an Iranian-American Christian pastor jailed in Tehran.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Thursday in Washington that officials were "aware of the case," but could give no further details due to "privacy considerations."

Rights groups say the pastor, Saeed Abedini, has been held since late September after being arrested while visiting family.

Specific charges are unknown and Iranian officials have made no comment. Some activists believe Abedini, who became a U.S. citizen in 2010, was jailed for trying to convert Muslims — a crime in Iran that could lead to capital punishment.

CBS affiliate KBOI in Boise reports Abedini attends a church in Boise and returns regularly to his native Iran. A Facebook page has been set up for him.

Saeed Abedini's wife, Naghmeh, appeared on Fox News Wednesday night, and said she believes the Revolutionary Guard in Iran has been stepping up pressure on Christians and Americans within their borders.

Nagmeh Abedini also alleged her husband had been abused while in jail, saying "a few weeks ago he told me (in a phone call) there's prisoners hurting him and there was a couple rounds of interrogators and the second round (was) hitting him."

[kartulikent]

I feel for this guy. What he was doing was foolish, but noble.
The picture however was taken in Tbilisi, Georgia. From Narikala fortress.
I thought he was in Iran... He should have stayed there. Much nicer people in Tbilisi.

[SavedByGrace247]

After seeing the comments here, I am both saddened and appalled at the flippant jokes and comments about a good man (an American citizen) who is facing the possible loss of his own life. My family has a personal connection to Saeed's family and we have been informed and in prayer regarding this situation since his abduction in September. This is a good man, a loving husband and father, who's only crime was that he had the audacity to turn his back on Islam for Christianity and tell others so they might experience the joyous revelation he had. His two beautiful children miss their daddy, who is being wrongfully held and beaten for his faith, and threatened with death, and you sit in front of your computers and make these despicable comments. I wish I could go on and say more, but I fear it would just be "casting pearl before swine." I pray you all do some serious soul searching and next time think before you post!

[Samuelbb7]

Yes we should pray. But as a Christian a member of the Seventh day Adventist church I cannot agree that all ideas about GOD are correct. For if that were true then my ideas of a GOD who loves everyone and the ideas of some radicals that their god hates everyone but them would both be true which is impossible.

We need to pray but we also need to be aware of who hates the U.S. and who hates freedom to decied for ourselves.

[Barb4Grins]

You are right, there is but one God, I do solemnly agree with you. The one God is All, be you Jewish, Islam, Buddhist, Christian, whatever. We are all one people, from Him. Spread the Word! Religious persecution needs to end, period. Start here, start for a wish for peace, whatever, but God is all, to forever. Call me freak, crazy, whatever you wish, but pray. Pray for peace, for all. For myself, praise Him who graces me daily!

[Barb4Grins]

Pray, pray, pray!
I prayed that God work through this man to show His presence, His grace, His salvation. I pray he is able to show his captors our Lord, and bring them to eternal life. What a wonderful opportunity! God did wonderful works through John when he was spreading the Word, and especially while he was held captive, he proclaimed God's might. Go, Father God! Protect this man, work through him your wonderful works!

[john92021]

Maybe they will make him a saint after he is martyred.

[judymar14]

He shouldn't have been there in the first place. He knew what would happen to him.

[displeased2]

He shouldn't have been trying to convert Muslims. Christians just can't help themselves...