After being imprisoned in Iran, a U.S. Navy veteran received unforeseen assistance. Upon regaining freedom, he reciprocated the kindness.

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At first, the American didn’t disclose many details, but this marked the start of an unexpected bond between White, a Navy veteran who was imprisoned for what he claims to be false accusations of espionage, and Mahdi Vatankhah, a young Iranian political activist whose government disapproved of his stance on social matters.

As the men formed a connection while being incarcerated, their shared passion for politics and human rights became a crucial bond for both of them.

Vatankhah, while detained and after being released, assisted White by giving White’s mother important and firsthand information about her son’s situation in prison. Vatankhah also passed on letters that White had written during his time behind bars. After being set free, White made sure to repay the favor. He advocated for Vatankhah’s entry into the United States, leading to a heartwarming reunion between the two men at a Los Angeles airport last spring. This outcome was unimaginable when they first crossed paths in prison many years ago.

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White was granted permission for Vatankhah to temporarily reside in the United States this year. This permission was obtained through a government initiative called humanitarian parole, which permits entry for individuals with urgent humanitarian needs or if there is a notable public advantage.

Vatankhah expressed to AP that he had always dreamt of coming to the United States. Upon arrival, he described it as the most incredible moment, completely transforming his entire life.

White, 50, a Southern California native who spent 13 years in the Navy, was arrested in Iran in 2018 after traveling to the country to pursue a romantic relationship with a woman he met online. He was jailed on various charges, including espionage accusations that he calls bogus, as well as allegations of insulting Iran’s supreme leader.

He experienced what he claims was severe mistreatment and sexual assault, a traumatic experience that he recorded in a personal journal that he kept in secret while incarcerated. He was then given a 10-year prison sentence, which the U.S. government has stated was an unjust detention.

Vatankhah, now 24, said he had been in and out of prison since he was a teenager because of his involvement in left-leaning causes and vocal criticism of the Iranian government, including through protests, social media posts and university newspaper pieces. He met White in 2018 after one such arrest when Vatankhah faced accusations of spreading propaganda against Tehran’s government.

Vatankhah was arrested once more and ended up in the same prison cell as White in Iran’s Mashhad prison, although he was eventually released.

Throughout their friendship, Vatankhah assisted White in navigating his time in prison and gaining a deeper understanding of the legal system. Acting as an interpreter, Vatankhah facilitated communication between White and the prison staff as well as other inmates. Additionally, during Vatankhah’s temporary release in early 2020, he played a crucial role in connecting White to the outside world.

Vatankhah contacted Jonathan Franks, a U.S. consultant who supports families of American hostages and detainees, using the contact information provided by White. Franks was already involved in White’s case and later played a crucial role in initiating the humanitarian parole process for Vatankhah. Vatankhah also communicated with White’s mother and managed to secretly transport the letters that White had written.

The detailed information about White, his status and his health – he suffered from cancer and COVID-19 in prison – came at a crucial time, providing a proof-of-life of sorts at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran due to a U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who led the expeditionary Quds Force of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

In a prisoner exchange that took place in June 2020, White was set free in return for an American-Iranian doctor who was imprisoned in the U.S. for breaking American sanctions laws. Vatankhah, who was also released in the same year, managed to reach Turkey.

In his March application on behalf of Vatankhah, White stated that his friend qualified for humanitarian parole as he was still experiencing harassment due to his political beliefs, even after moving to Turkey.

Vatankhah wrote in his own petition that the situation was unsafe for him in Turkey. He noted that Turkish police had raided his home and that he remained at risk of deportation to Iran.

Paris Etemadi Scott, a California lawyer who has worked with White and Vatankhah and filed the humanitarian parole application on the Iranian’s behalf, said Vatankhah’s assistance to an American – a veteran, no less – enhanced the legitimacy and urgency of his petition because it added to the potential that Vatankhah could face imminent harm.

According to her, “Mahdi presented an impressive amount of evidence to prove that he had been repeatedly imprisoned,” despite the lack of substantial supporting documents from most applicants.

The spokesperson from the State Department stated that the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs put in a lot of effort to secure White’s release in 2020. Upon learning about Vatankhah’s situation, they collaborated closely with various partners within the U.S. government, such as the White House National Security Council and Department of Homeland Security, to ensure his safe arrival in the United States.

Vatankhah is now living in San Diego, where White is from. Vatankhah said his humanitarian parole is good for one year, but he already has applied for asylum, which would allow him to remain in the U.S. He’s obtained a work permit and found work as a caregiver.

He is also relishing the liberty to openly express his political opinions without any apprehension of facing consequences.

“I enjoy sharing my thoughts in this platform, where I have the opportunity to freely express myself. I will persist in utilizing my freedom of speech to voice my opposition towards the Iranian government.”