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FBI Confirms "Proof Of Life" For Coral Springs Man Missing In Iran

CORAL SPRINGS (CBS4) -A former FBI agent from Broward County who has been missing in Iran since 2007 may be alive, U.S. officials announced Thursday.

The U.S State Department confirmed there are indications that Coral Springs resident Robert Levinson is in Southwest Asia. It is unclear who is holding Levinson, but officials say they have every reason to believe that he is alive.

Levinson's wife Christine released this statement late Thursday:

"It has been almost four years since I have seen my beloved husband Robert Levinson. Our family is tremendously encouraged by the news Bob is alive but remains concerned for his safety and well being.  Bob suffers with diabetes requiring regular medication. Our seven children, our two grandchildren, and I await the day we will be reunited. We ask for your continued prayers and support."

Levinson disappeared while on a business trip to Kish Island, Iran. After leaving the FBI, Bob Levinson began investigations for private clients. He was last seen on Kish Island in 2007.

Levinson's family has pressed the U.S. and Iranian governments for years, traveling back-and-forth to Washington, D.C. and even retracing his steps on Kish Island.

The White House and State Department have also repeatedly appealed to Iran, even for details of the investigation it promised to conduct.

Iran continually said it had no knowledge of Levinson.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the family's web site, www.helpboblevinson.com

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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