At least five other Americans are currently detained in Iran, according to CNN.
White’s imprisonment comes during a period of strained relations between Tehran and Washington, with the U.S. recently reimposing severe sanctions on Iran. The sanctions, which were reinstated following President Trump‘s decision to leave the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, have hurt the country’s economy.
White’s mother noted that he had undergone chemotherapy for a neck tumor before he left for Iran and suffers from asthma.
THE HILL