All,

This Sunday marks 18 years since Robert “Bob” Levinson was abducted from Iran’s Kish Island. It’s also U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, a time for our entire nation to remember Bob and all Americans wrongfully captured and detained overseas.

Over the years, the Bureau has worked to secure the recovery of many Americans held hostage abroad, but Bob’s case hits especially close to home. He spent nearly three decades in service to our nation, including 22 years as an FBI special agent. He was one of ours.

While we’re still early in my time at the Bureau, I have long been familiar with the story of Bob’s disappearance and am honored to call the Levinson family my friends. On my first morning as Director, I visited the Hall of Honor at FBI Headquarters to pay tribute to our fallen heroes and to tour the exhibit dedicated to Bob’s extraordinary life and career.

I’m also no stranger to the Bureau’s essential work with our partners to bring American hostages home, and I’m grateful to the countless employees across our organization who are working tirelessly to get the Levinson family the answers they need and deserve. I’m proud to have supported that mission during my own career, and yesterday I joined our partners at the State Department in a flag-raising ceremony marking our commitment to all U.S. hostages and wrongful detainees.

Far too many questions remain about Bob’s kidnapping, detention, and probable death, but I’m encouraged by the progress our investigative team continues to make. Last month we released posters seeking information about two senior Iranian intelligence officers we suspect were involved in abducting Bob on behalf of the Iranian regime. The Bureau is offering up to $5 million for information leading to his recovery, location, and return. That’s in addition to a reward of up to $20 million offered by the State Department.

Bob leaves behind a legacy of dedication, patriotism, and strength. We won’t stop until we’ve uncovered the truth about what happened to him and brought him home.

Kash Patel