Washington blacklisted two Iranian officials that it accused of involvement in the kidnapping and probable death of Robert Levinson WASHINGTON: The US for the first time on Monday accused Iran of direct involvement in the “probable death” of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who vanished 13 years ago, and imposed sanctions on two intelligence agents. No agreement should ever be struck with Iran without its freeing all unjustly detained US citizens, a senior official added as Washington blacklisted two Iranian officials that it accused of involvement in the kidnapping and probable death while in custody of the former agent. A second US official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, said Washington believed senior Iranian officials Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai had signed off on the abduction of Levinson, who went missing on Iran’s Kish Island in the Gulf in March 2007. The official said he hoped the naming and sanctioning of the two men, who were separately identified by the US Treasury Department, would lead to further information about Levinson"s fate. “The government of Iran pledged to provide assistance in bringing Bob Levinson home, but it has never followed through,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. “The truth is that Iranian intelligence officers -- with the approval of senior Iranian officials -- were involved in Bob"s abduction and detention.” Releasing the finding a month before President-elect Joe Biden takes office, Donald Trump’s administration urged his successor to prioritize the release of at least three Americans in Iranian custody as his team expects to resume diplomacy with Iran.