Former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati has been imprisoned in Iran for more than two years . He was visiting family in Iran when he was arrested in August 2011 . The Washington Post reports that the Obama administration is considering a deal with Tehran to release him as part of an effort to thaw relations between the countries. Born in Flagstaff , Arizona , then raised in Flint , Michigan , Hekmati graduated from high school and joined the U.S. Marines , where he served four years , becoming a rifleman and also serving in Iraq . His family is appealing to Iran 's new president , who 's attending U.N. General Assembly .
Former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati has been imprisoned in Iran for more than two years . He was visiting family in Iran when he was arrested in August 2011 . The Washington Post reports that the Obama administration is considering a deal with Tehran to release him as part of an effort to thaw relations between the countries. His family is appealing to Iran 's new president , who 's attending U.N. General Assembly .