Valizadeh, a former journalist with the U.S.-funded Persian-language broadcaster Radio Farda, was convicted on charges of collaborating with a hostile government, according to his lawyer.

In a voice recording obtained by CBS News, Valizadeh said he and three other U.S. citizens held in Evin prison were suffering from illnesses and lacked access to proper medical treatment.

“While the four of us are suffering from various diseases and are deprived from real medical services, the U.S. government could have at least demanded real medical services for us,” Valizadeh said in the recording.

AFP could not independently verify the authenticity of the message. CBS reported that the recording was made recently after Iranian authorities eased wartime communication restrictions.

Valizadeh’s lawyer, Ryan Fayhee, told CBS that his client suffers from persistent coughing, back pain and dental problems. Fayhee said Valizadeh had also survived an Israeli strike that damaged parts of Evin prison last year.

The appeal comes as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations following the conflict that began after U.S. military action against Iran in February.

Human rights organizations have long criticized conditions in Iranian prisons, citing overcrowding and limited access to food, medicine and healthcare.

The United States said in 2024 it was aware of Valizadeh’s detention and called on Iran to release him.