Pastor Saeed, Others Left Behind in Iran Deal

One of the biggest concerns surrounding the deal reached between the United States and Iran on it's nuclear program is the fate of Christians and others imprisoned by the Iranian government.

One of those prisoners, American Pastor Saeed Abedini has been held since Jan. 2013, serving an eight year sentence. He was accused of crimes against the Iranian government for sharing his Christian faith.

"No matter what behind-the-scenes agreements have been made, Iran doesn't have any intention of holding to any of them unless they want to," CBN News Senior Reporter John Waage said.

Were any provisions made for the release of prisoners like Pastor Saeed Abedini? CBN News's expert panel discusses this and what could be next. Click play to watch.

The American Center for Law and Justice reports Naghmeh Abedini, Saeed's wife, is deeply disappointed with the deal. She is asking Congress once again to not forget her husband.

"With the announcement of a deal and yet silence as to the fate of Saeed and the other Americans held hostage in Iran, their fate lies now in the hands of Congress. I plead with each member of Congress to review the deal with our family at the forefront of their thoughts," she said.

"Congress holds the key to bringing my husband home, to returning the father to my children," she said.

The ACLJ said these prisoners need more than "thoughts."

"They need action. The State Department is A.W.O.L. - absent without leave - nearly silent about the devastating impact this 'deal' has on the four wrongfully imprisoned Americans, including Pastor Saeed, left behind to suffer in harsh Iranian prison conditions," the ACLJ said in a statement.

"About 89 other Christians, Iranians, are also being imprisoned there," Senior International Corresponded Gary Lane said. "I'm afraid if things will continue, it will be much of the same, the crackdown against Christians will continue there."