Club member Jason Rezaian signs deal for book about Iranian imprisonment

National Press Club member Jason Rezaian of the Washington Post, who was freed from an Iranian prison in January, recently signed a book deal with Ecco, a division of Harper Collins.

The highly anticipated book, which will recount Rezaian's 18-month imprisonment and analyze the U.S.-Iran nuclear weapons agreement will be the first time the public will hear details of his unique personal story.

The book will be published in 2018, according to Ecco. The Washington Post, which is expected to run early excerpts, published a story announcing the book deal on Dec. 6..

The Club was a leading advocate for Rezaian's release from prison and hosted news conferences and special events to call attention to his situation. Rezaian came to visit Club leadership in late January to thank them at a private meeting.

In March, the Club hosted a welcome home and birthday event for Rezaian in the ballroom where he was made an honorary member of the Club along with his wife Yegi and his brother Ali.

They have visited many times since then, including attending the Club awards dinner last summer where Yegi spoke about the Club. The Rezaians are currently on a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard and are expected to return to Washington in 2017.