In a meeting with a former American hostage in Iran who is on a hunger strike, a senior US diplomat urged him to end his protest action to protect his health.

US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley met with Barry Rosen, a survivor of the Iran Hostage Crisis, who has started a hunger strike at the venue of nuclear talks in Vienna between Tehran and world powers.

During their talk on Wednesday, Malley urged Rosen to end his hunger strike to protect his health, saying the crisis of dual citizens held hostage by the Islamic Republic “has our full attention”.

“He (Rosen) and the other Embassy hostages are heroes. We are moved by his commitment to wrongfully detained foreign/dual nationals in Iran”, Malley said in a tweet.

Rosen, who is campaigning for the release of hostages imprisoned by Iran, appreciated the “very productive conversation” with Malley, adding that “we discussed the plight of the foreign nationals and dual nationals currently imprisoned in Iran” without disclosing further details about their one-hour talk.

Rosen hopes his move can stop the United States from reaching a deal with Iran until the hostages are freed.

UK-based Iranian journalist and activist Jamshid Barzegar has joined Rosen’s sit-in in Vienna to draw attention to hostages and all political prisoners held by Tehran.