The man in the footage shown on state television says: “I am Shahram Amiri, a citizen of the Islamic republic. A few minutes ago I managed to escape from the hands of US intelligence agents in Virginia.

“I could be re-arrested at any time by US agents… I am not free and I’m not allowed to contact my family. If something happens and I do not return home alive, the US government will be responsible.

“I ask Iranian officials and organisations that defend human rights to raise pressure on the US government for my release and return to my country.