He has family there. And unfortunately worked in some PR related govt job.

I'm not sure why they even allow travel to Iran, frankly. Is Cuba and North Korea the only countries that US has travel restrictions?

I can't figure out why a former Marine would go to Iran. I realize that in recent years people have gone back and forth, but a Marine? This board was all over the hikers who may or may not have strayed across the Iranian border. This is a whole other level of questionable choices.

That doesn't excuse the actions of the Iranian government, but this guy handed them an opportunity.

We execute US citizens all the time.

In two separate incidents in recent days the US Navy has saved a total of 19 Iranians at sea and they are scheduled to execute a US citizen. Nice huh?