The Iranian government has commented publicly for the first time on the disappearance of Al Jazeera journalist Dorothy Parvaz. Parvaz was detained in Syria last month and was reportedly deported to Iran but has not been seen since. A spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry said Parvaz attempted to enter Syria last month with an expired Iranian passport and without proper press clearance. The official offered no details on reports that Parvaz has been deported to Iran. Parvaz was born in Iran and holds Iranian, U.S. and Canadian citizenship. On Monday, her fiancé, Todd Barker, called for her immediate release.

Todd Barker, Parvaz’s fiancé: “Every day that goes by is a significant event, and we just desperately want to hear that Dorothy is safe. The geopolitical environment is very complicated, and I understand that, and I don’t cast aspersions on anybody. But my relationship with Dorothy is very simple, and I know that people can understand my love of her. I’m going to be married to her, and I need to speak with her.”