Missing Man's Family: US Must Take Care of Its Own The family of an American who vanished in Iran nearly seven years ago is urging the U.S. government to, quote, "step up and take care of one of its own." An Associated Press investigation reveals that Bob Levinson was on an unauthorized spy operation for the CIA when he disappeared. That's contrary to the U.S. government's longtime description of him as a private citizen who was traveling on private business. In a new statement from Levinson's family, they call him a courageous man who dedicated himself to and risked his life for the United States. They said the U.S. government has failed to make saving him the priority it should be.