Open source information reports Robert Levinson as an American and former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent , who had since retired from the FBI.

Levinson disappeared on 03/09/2007, in Kish Island, Iran. Open source information reports Levinson was on a mission for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Levinson's family is reported to have received a $2.5 million annuity from the CIA in order to stop a lawsuit revealing details of his work in Iran, and to forestall any revelation of details regarding the arrangement between Levinson and the CIA.

However, FBI's kidnapping poster advises: Levinson was working on behalf of several large corporations, and his whereabouts,
well-being  and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance have been unknown since 03/09/2007.

Further open source reporting implicates the Government of Iran (GOI), and the associated intelligence apparatus as being responsible for Levinson's abduction, disappearance and most likely death. Open source information indicates the GOI has never overtly and publicly acknowledged responsibility for Levinson.

Open source information reported on 03/25/2020, Levinson's family announced his death on the advisement of the U.S. government. Although the date is unknown, it is assumed that he died while in Iranian custody.

The United States Government is offering a reward of up to $25,000,000 for information leading directly to the location,
recovery and return of Robert A. Levinson.