Publicly, the President has downplayed the entire incident and suggested it would have no impact on talks with Tehran to end the war that began with the US and Israeli attacks on February 28. But privately, it is likely to be a matter of grave concern – especially as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has reportedly launched a search for the missing American using soldiers and locals, and has offered a reward of around $66,000 (£50,000) for his capture alive.
