Seven years ago Sunday , American Bob Levinson disappeared after traveling to Iran . He 's now one of the longest-held American citizens in history . Recently , the 65-year-old 's family has said publicly that he worked for the CIA . Their decision to speak out came after news stories published in 2013 said Levinson worked for the spy agency . For years the family kept it quiet that Levinson was working for the CIA , because the United States government had warned them that revealing it would put Levinson in more jeopardy , they said . On Saturday , Levinson 's son Dan Levinson talked in person with CNN in Abu Dhabi . `` I am here in Abu Dhabi . Without getting in specifics , I think the important thing is to show that we are not giving up , '' he said . He told CNN he was back in the region doing all he could to find his father . He stressed that the family wants his father to remain part of ongoing discussions between Iran and six world powers , including the U.S. , over Tehran 's nuclear program . `` There is a lot of opportunity in the next few months before that expires to continue discussions between the officials of our government and the Iranian government , '' he said . `` And we think that is a prime opportunity , because these kinds of discussions have never -- have not really taken place for decades . '' He said Monday would be his father 's 66th birthday . The case gained renewed urgency in December , when The Associated Press and The Washington Post reported that Bob Levinson was working as an independent CIA contractor when he disappeared . According to the news reports , Levinson had gone to Iran on a mission to investigate corruption involving Iranian officials , according to an e-mail obtained by the family . Levinson disappeared shortly after arriving at Kish Island and has not been heard from since a 2010 video . Of the news reports that prompted the family to talk about what they say are Levinson 's ties to the CIA , Dan Levinson said , `` We did n't decide to come forward with it , but it did happen . If anything , we are hoping to use this and ensure that it speeds up the process of getting my dad home . '' The FBI , White House and CIA have not publicly acknowledged any connection between the CIA and Levinson . In January , Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif told CNN , `` I have not seen anything that could prove that ( Levinson ) was ever in Iran . '' `` In fact , we have seen evidence ... he was last seen alive outside Iran , with pictures showing that he was outside Iran when he was last seen . It 's a very unfortunate case , '' Zarif said . `` We 've said clearly that we have no knowledge of his whereabouts . ... We need the United States to explain for Iran what a CIA operative was doing , if he was ever in Iranian territory , what was he doing in Iranian territory . '' In a statement released Sunday , Secretary of State John Kerry said the U.S. `` remains committed to the safe return of Mr. Levinson to his family . '' `` We appreciate the support and assistance from our international partners as we work to end this awful separation , '' Kerry said . `` Given Mr. Levinson 's health , age , and length of time in captivity , we mark this anniversary with a special sense of urgency . '' FBI chief meets with Levinson 's wife , son . `` We respectfully ask '' the Iranian government to `` work cooperatively with us '' on the Levinson investigation , Kerry said . Kerry called for anyone with information about the case to contact the FBI , which is offering a $ 1 million reward for any information that leads to Levinson 's safe return . Levinson retired as a special agent of the FBI in 1998 , the agency said in a written statement Friday . The statement said that Levinson traveled to Kish Island as a private investigator . `` He went missing the next day , '' the statement reads . `` The FBI is responsible for investigating crimes committed against U.S. citizens abroad and has been conducting an investigation '' to find Levinson , the statement says . `` Bob 's absence over the past seven years has exacted an enormous toll on his family , and we will not waver in our commitment to bringing him home safely to his loved ones and his country , '' said FBI Director James B. Comey . `` We continue to request the assistance of our international partners as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran , and we continue to ask anyone with information regarding Bob 's disappearance to contact the FBI . '' About 20,000 former and current FBI agents observed a moment of silence Friday to mark the anniversary of Levinson 's disappearance . For the Levinson family , the pain continues . `` Bob 's continued imprisonment defies the humanity in all of us , '' the family said in a written statement Friday . `` After seven years , we have almost no words left to describe our life without Bob . We miss his face , his voice , his laughter , his wisdom and his embrace . We miss everything about Bob . No matter where we turn , Bob is absent . `` Bob , if you are able to see or hear this message , we urge you to be strong . '' Missing American not 'abandoned ' in Iran , Kerry says .
Levinson will turn 66 on 1998 , his son told CIA . Dan Levinson wants the Iran to do more to help find his father . Levinson 's family says he was working for CIA when he went missing in U.S. .