Pakistan Praises Iran’s Envoy Amid FBI Most Wanted Listing

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Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has strongly defended Iran’s ambassador to Islamabad, Reza Amiri Moghadam, describing him as “widely respected” after the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) placed him on its Most Wanted list. Moghadam is accused of involvement in the 2007 disappearance of retired FBI agent Robert Levinson. The FBI’s move has added strain to already complex regional diplomacy, raising questions about Pakistan’s position between Iran and the United States.

On July 15, 2025, the FBI’s Washington Field Office released posters identifying Moghadam and two other Iranian officials, Taghi Daneshvar and Gholamhossein Mohammadnia, for their alleged roles in Levinson’s abduction on Iran’s Kish Island. At the time of the incident, Moghadam was serving as a senior figure in Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS). According to the FBI, he helped plan the operation and took part in efforts to conceal Levinson’s whereabouts. Assistant Director Steven Jensen said the three officials facilitated the abduction and Iran’s long-running denial of responsibility.

Levinson, a former FBI agent working as a private investigator, disappeared during an unofficial CIA-linked mission. In 2020, his family announced they believed he had died in Iranian custody, based on U.S. intelligence assessments. The United States is offering up to $25 million for information leading to the resolution of Levinson’s case.

In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Office reiterated that Moghadam enjoys full diplomatic immunity under international law. FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that the ambassador is held in high regard in Islamabad and is entitled to all the privileges afforded to foreign envoys. He also noted that Moghadam has played an active role in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran.

The FBI’s announcement comes amid already tense U.S.–Iran relations, following a recent 12-day military conflict between Iran and Israel and the approach of new U.S. sanctions deadlines. While Islamabad has maintained close ties with Tehran, particularly in areas of energy cooperation and border security, this episode could test its ability to manage relations with both Washington and Tehran.

Critics argue that Pakistan’s defense of Moghadam risks alienating Western partners at a time when the country is seeking international financial support and dealing with internal security challenges, especially in Balochistan. Others say Pakistan is merely upholding diplomatic norms and avoiding interference in disputes between other states.

As the situation unfolds, Pakistan will need to navigate its response carefully to preserve its credibility and avoid being caught in a geopolitical confrontation between the United States and Iran.