The US government has not confirmed the number of Americans detained. The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation reports six individuals at “unprecedented risk” due to ongoing military activity. Known detainees include a US-based reporter and a Jewish Iranian American from New York who traveled to Iran last year and has not been allowed to leave.
At least two detainees are held in Evin Prison, Tehran’s high-security facility for political prisoners. The site has been affected by prior airstrikes. Kamran Hekmati, 61, contacted his family recently, assuring them he was safe. He has not received regular treatment for bladder cancer since being detained.
JUST IN 🔴
IRAN: Heavy fighting reported at Evin Prison, where regime security forces have surrounded the facility.
Evin prison is where many of the political prisoner are held.
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) February 28, 2026
Other detainees include Reza Valizadeh, a reporter formerly based in Washington, now serving a 10-year sentence in Evin. His lawyer, Ryan Fayhee, continues to press US officials for support while emphasizing the need to avoid civilian casualties during ongoing military operations. Valizadeh is officially designated as wrongfully detained and is assigned to the State Department’s special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.
CPJ calls attention to Iranian journalist Reza Valizadeh’s case as his attorneys petition the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention for his immediate release. Reza has been wrongfully jailed in Iran since September 2024 — part of a broader pattern of targeting journalists.… pic.twitter.com/LrumzlplTk
— Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) January 27, 2026
Afarin Mohajer, a California resident, is another American detainee. Charged in 2024 with posting content critical of the Iranian government, her family disputes political activity claims and views her detention as part of long-standing “hostage diplomacy” by Tehran.
President Trump and US officials have called for the release of detained Americans. A White House spokesperson reiterated that the administration seeks the safe return of all US citizens held on dubious charges.
Families emphasize that conditions for detainees are fragile. Concerns include insufficient medical care, potential harassment, and the cumulative risk from military operations near detention sites.
Namazi noted that past incidents, including a 2022 prison fire at Evin, left inmates with little reliable information and highlighted the vulnerability of those detained under uncertain circumstances.
The cases underscore Iran’s continued use of Americans as political leverage. Families and advocates are pressing the US and international partners to maintain pressure while monitoring ongoing military activity in proximity to high-risk detention facilities.
Russian Missile and Drone Barrage Hits Ukraine, Civilian Deaths Reported in Kharkiv
Russian forces struck Ukraine on Saturday with a combination of missiles and drones, hitting energy facilities, military sites, and residential areas. At least 10 people were killed, including children, and 16 others were wounded, officials said.
In Kharkiv, emergency crews searched the rubble of a five-story residential building. Among the dead were a primary schoolteacher and her son, as well as an eighth-grade student and her mother, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Since last night, work has been ongoing to clear the rubble of a residential building in Kharkiv following a Russian ballistic missile strike. A whole section was destroyed, and the upper floors of a neighboring building were damaged. Unfortunately, as of now, it is known that 7… pic.twitter.com/f3Jr8mPCWN
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 7, 2026
Ukraine reported that 29 missiles and 480 drones were used in the overnight operations. Air defenses intercepted the majority: 19 missiles and 453 drones were destroyed, while impacts from 9 missiles and 26 drones were recorded across 22 locations.
The building in Kharkiv was struck by Russia’s new cruise missile, the Izdeliye-30. Subsonic and air-launched, it has a 1,500-kilometer range and features a satellite navigation system designed to resist jamming.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has published an interactive 3D model, the main assemblies, and components of the enemy’s new cruise missile “izdeliye-30,” as well as data on 20 enterprises involved in its production cooperation chain.
🔗: https://t.co/shMagPCZHE pic.twitter.com/6XgEsxVatf
— Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) March 2, 2026
Other regions were affected as well. In Kyiv, debris from strikes damaged three districts. In Odesa, fires at infrastructure sites required 80 firefighters. Rail disruptions forced adjustments to multiple central and western routes.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strikes targeted military factories, energy facilities, and air bases. The attacks relied on large numbers of Iranian-designed drones, which Russia has integrated into its operations over the past several years.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for continued international support. He confirmed that Ukraine has provided equipment and personnel to assist US efforts addressing Iranian drones in the Middle East. He emphasized that partners are key to maintaining civilian protection.
The strikes highlight persistent vulnerabilities in urban and energy infrastructure. Russia’s integration of cruise missiles and drones reflects ongoing operational planning focused on precision strikes, while Ukraine’s air defenses continue to intercept the majority of incoming threats.
The conflict remains steady and complex. Civilian casualties, infrastructure damage, and logistical challenges continue to affect multiple regions. The war’s duration and intensity mean that both sides are sustaining operations while navigating broader regional and international considerations.
Sources: News Agencies
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