Iran’s Clenched Fist to America

So much for the Tehran thaw. In September liberal hopes ran high that the nuclear deal with Iran and the lifting of economic sanctions would lead to an era of good feeling with the mullahs, complete with new openings for Western businesses and diplomatic cooperation over regional crises. Our friends at the New York Times arranged to lead guided tours for adventurous travelers.

Maybe those tourists should reconsider. In recent days Tehran has arrested two U.S. citizens, bringing to five the number of Americans known to be under Iranian lock and key. They include Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, who has spent nearly 500 days in prison. Former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati has been imprisoned since 2011 on espionage charges, and Saaed Abedini, a Muslim-born convert to Christianity, was arrested in 2012 on charges of leading an underground house-church movement.

The latest arrests are especially chilling—and revealing. Nizar Zakka is a Lebanese-American who lives in Washington and was visiting Tehran for a conference at the invitation of the Iranian government. He disappeared Sept. 18 only to resurface this week in the regime’s custody.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/irans-clenched-fist-to-america-1446683784