US urges Iran to help locate former FBI agent

The US has reiterated a call asking for Iran's help in finding a retired agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and raised the bounty for his whereabouts.

Secretary of State John Kerry's appeal on Monday came on the eighth anniversary of Robert Levinson's disappearance, who Washington said went missing on Iran's Kish Island during a business trip, reported Xinhua.

"We ask the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to work cooperatively with us on the investigation into Robert Levinson's disappearance...," Kerry said in a statement.

Describing Levinson as "one of the longest held US citizens in history", the top American envoy said: "We remain committed to the safe return of Levinson to his family and appreciate the support and assistance from our international partners."

He announced that the FBI had increased its reward fivefold to $5 million for information leading to Levinson's safe return.

Press reports said Levinson was paid by the US Central Intelligence Agency to gather intelligence inside Iran, while Tehran has repeatedly denied that it is holding the American.

Kerry had raised the case of Levinson and other missing Americans directly with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif "on several occasions" when they met time and again in recent months over Tehran's nuclear programme, State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki told reporters on Monday.

The other Americans allegedly held in Iran are Amir Hekmati, a former Marine, Saeed Abedini, a pastor, and Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter.