According to a statement Saturday by Trevithick’s family, the 30-year-old was released after 40 days in Evin Prison in Tehran.
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He was released Saturday independently of a prisoner exchange between the US and Iran that saw four American prisoners discharged. He traveled to Iran, the statement said, in September for a four-month intensive language program at the Dehkhoda Institute, a language center affiliated with Tehran University.
The official said the United States expects to impose new sanction “designations” against Iran for recent ballistic missile tests, but declined to outline the timing for that move. From 2010 to 2014, he was director of communications at the American University of Afghanistan, and he previously worked for the American University of Iraq.
Boston University professor emeritus Andrew Bacevich says he was “immensely gratified” to learn of Trevithick’s release.
Besides Trevithick and Rezaian, the other prisoners released Saturday are Amir Hekmati, a Marine veteran from Flint, Mich., Saeed Abedini, a pastor from Boise, Idaho, and Nosratollah Khosravi, a business consultant who works for a United Arab Emirates-based oil company.
Trevithick’s release coincided with the announcement that Iran has satisfied its obligations under a nuclear deal with world powers. “But he came out all right and wrote a good piece”, said Philip Smucker, a freelance journalist who had taught journalism at the American University of Afghanistan and was friendly with Trevithick while the two worked there. “We look forward to reuniting with Matt and ask that all respect his privacy as he returns”.
It was in Iraq that Trevithick met rowing coach Bruce Smith, who was conducting a rowing camp for the Iraqi national rowing team.
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Trevithick’s family did not respond to requests for an interview.
