US judge orders Iran pay $1.45 billion to family of ex-FBI agent presumed dead

The punitive damages, Kelly wrote, are meant to “punish outrageous behavior and deter such outrageous conduct in the future.” The judge described Levinson’s kidnapping as “barbaric conduct that has caused him and his family immeasurable suffering.” 

In a statement, the Levinson family described the ruling as “the first step in the pursuit of justice.”

“Until now, Iran has faced no consequences for its actions. Judge Kelly’s decision won’t bring Bob home, but we hope that it will serve as a warning against further hostage taking by Iran,” they said. “We intend to find any and every avenue, and pursue all options, to seek justice for Robert Levinson.”

The Iranian government did not immediately respond today, but has long denied responsibility for his disappearance.

The Trump administration, which has pursued a maximum pressure campaign of sanctions against Iran, has called on Iranian officials to “provide a full accounting” of what happened to Levinson. 

US citizens, including Morad Tahbaz and Siamak and Baquer Namazi, are among the many Western political prisoners currently detained in Iran. Navy veteran Michael White was freed from Iranian custody in June.