WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- Officials in the United States are looking into the recent arrest of an Iranian-American student in Tehran who was working on a research project on women 's rights in Iran . Esha Momeni was arrested October 15 in Tehran , Iran , officials said . Esha Momeni , a graduate student at California State University-Northridge , was arrested October 15 in Tehran for unlawfully passing another vehicle while driving , according to Change For Equality , an Iranian women 's movement . `` We 're seeking additional information about this case , '' State Department spokesman Robert Wood said Wednesday . `` We stand with all those in Iran who are working for universal human rights and justice in their countries . '' Momeni , who was born in Los Angeles , California , is a member of Change for Equality 's California chapter . She arrived in Tehran two months ago to work on her masters thesis project on the Iranian women 's movement , according to the group , which is in touch with Momeni 's family in Iran . Momeni is being held in a section of Tehran 's notorious Evin Prison that is managed by the Intelligence Ministry , the group said . Evin Prison houses many Iranian dissidents and political prisoners , and it is where four Iranian-Americans were held for several months last year . All have been released . Iranian officials had promised Momeni 's family that she would be immediately released if the news of her arrest was not published , the organization said . `` While Esha 's friends and colleagues were insistent about announcing the news of her arrest immediately , based on requests from her family this news was announced with delay , '' Change for Equality said on its Web site . Momeni 's parents decided to release the information after they went to Iran 's Revolutionary Court on Sunday -- five days after her arrest -- to inquire about her case , and they were told not to return until the investigation into her case has been completed , according to Change for Equality . The Momeni family returned to Iran after the 1979 Islamic revolution , but Esha had gone back to the United States several years ago to study for her masters degree , according to a blog post from her journalism professor , Melissa Wall . A separate blog calling for her release ( for-esha.blogspot.com ) has been established and includes an interview with Wall , who describes her student as `` an exceptionally bright person , very creative and artistic . '' She calls herself `` shocked '' to hear of Momeni 's arrest . `` I 'm aware that such things happen in Iran , but I 'm confident that they have nothing to fear from Esha 's research project , '' Wall said . `` It is simply an academic exercise , not meant for publication outside of academic circles . I can not image why she should be held in detention . '' On her personal blog , Wall said , `` She is a videographer who was simply interviewing Iranian women . She has broken no laws , has not done anything wrong . ''
Esha Momeni was was working on her thesis on women 's rights in Iran . She was arrested for unlawfully passing another vehicle while driving October 15 . Momeni is being held in Tehran 's notorious Evin Prison . News of arrest withheld because family was told she would be released .