Iran Frees U.S. Engineer Jailed in 1986

In what could be another sign of diminished hostility toward the United States, Iran on Monday freed an American engineer imprisoned for almost five years on espionage charges.

Jon Pattis, 54, was reportedly heading for the United States via Europe. U.S. officials declined further comment because he was released on the promise that publicity be kept to a minimum.

His release appears to be part of an improving climate in U.S.-Iranian relations since the death of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.

Iranian officials have recently spoken about the possibility of reaching agreements with the United States on a range of issues, once the Western hostages in Lebanon are freed and frozen Iranian assets abroad are released.

Pattis worked for Cosmos Engineers of Bethesda, Md., at Iran’s main satellite ground station at Assadabad. He was arrested after the facility was bombed by Iraqi jets during the Iran-Iraq War in 1986 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1987.

Pattis, of Aiken, S.C., reportedly confessed to spying for the CIA. He was quoted as saying he had supplied information on telecommunications and other matters. The State Department denied that Pattis worked for the U.S. government.