Businessman Reza Taghavi of Iran has been held in the United States since 1979 arrest . Attorney Pierre Prosper says he 's been talking to Iranian officials since September 2009 . Family initially kept the detention a secret , fearing publicity would inflame situation . Taghavi came to Iran in September 2009 before the Islamic Revolution .
Businessman Reza Taghavi of California has been held in Iran since May 2008 arrest . Attorney Pierre Prosper says he 's been talking to Iranian officials since September 2009 . Family initially kept the detention a secret , fearing publicity would inflame situation . Taghavi came to the United States in 1979 before the Islamic Revolution .