美國呼籲伊朗總統釋放三名美國人

The United States has issued an appeal to Iran's new president, asking for his help in returning three Americans to their families after lengthy detentions in the Islamic Republic.

The State Department, in a statement Wednesday, said Washington is "respectfully" asking President Hasan Rouhani to facilitate the return of 65-year-old Robert Levinson, and dual American-Iranian citizens Amir Hekmati and Saeed Abedini.

Levinson, a retired FBI agent and father of seven children, went missing from Kish Island, Iran in March 2007 while researching a smuggling case as a private investigator. The U.S. statement said Abedini is serving an eight-year prison term on charges related to his religious beliefs, while Hekmati -- a former U.S. Marine -- is being held on what U.S. officials call "false espionage charges."

The U.S. statement noted that President Rouhani, who took office earlier this month, has publicly voiced hope for improved relations with the global community.美國向伊朗新總統魯哈尼發出呼籲，要求協助促成被長期拘留在伊朗的三名美國人與家人團聚。

美國國務院星期三發表聲明說，華盛頓籲請魯哈尼總統促成釋放65歲的萊文森以及伊朗裔美國公民赫克馬提和阿布迪尼。

萊文森是退休的美國聯邦調查局特工，他有七個子女。2007年，作爲獨立調查員的萊文森在調查一起走私案件期間在伊朗基什島失蹤。美國國務院的聲明說，阿布迪尼正在服八年刑期，他因自己的宗教信仰而被判罪。赫克馬提是前美國海軍陸戰隊員。美國官員說，他是無辜的，但被控犯有間諜罪，目前受到拘押。

美國國務院的聲明指出，本月早些時候就職的魯哈尼總統曾公開表示希望改善伊朗與國際社會的關係。