Kamran Hekmati, a Jewish-American from Great Neck Estates, has been designated a wrongful detainee by the U.S. State Department after more than 300 days in Iranian custody.

Hekmati, who is 70 and battling bladder cancer, has been held in Evin Prison, a facility known for political prisoners and reported illness adds urgency to his case.

The wrongful-detainee designation triggers tools across diplomatic, legal, and economic fronts under the Robert Levinson Act to press for his release.

Supporters note the designation as official acknowledgment that he is being held on false charges, while advocates push for expedited action.

Congressional supporters regard the move as a promising step and urge the administration to secure his release as quickly as possible amid broader Iran tensions and ongoing regional risks.

Hekmati is a 70-year-old dual Iranian-American who traveled to Iran for family business and was detained after attending his son’s bar mitzvah in Israel many years ago, with Iran citing such travels as charges.

Iranian authorities reportedly sentenced him to two years for alleged Israel-related activities, a claim his family disputes as outside Iran’s 10-year look-back window.

Advocates, including his cousin Shohreh Nowfar and Global Reach, welcomed the designation as recognition of false charges used to leverage concessions from the U.S.

The designation was announced after bipartisan push from Rep. Tom Suozzi and Rep. Claudia Tenney, who urged action in letters to the Secretary of State, and was welcomed by Suozzi.

The move comes amid broader U.S.-Iran tensions and related actions, including Iran’s designation as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention and subsequent regional developments.

Hekmati’s location is believed to be Evin Prison near Tehran, reputed for crowded conditions and mistreatment reports.

News analysis notes ongoing efforts by family and advocacy groups to secure his release, with media context about Iran’s legal framework and past detentions of Americans.