Siamak Namazi, an Iranian American imprisoned in Iran for nearly seven years on espionage-related charges rejected by Washington as baseless, has been allowed out of Tehran’s Evin prison on a one-week furlough, his lawyer said on Saturday.

Separately, his father and former United Nations official Baquer Namazi, who was also convicted on charges of “collaboration with a hostile government”, has been allowed to leave Iran for medical treatment, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

It was unclear if the moves might be a step towards Siamak’s full release, nor whether it signals the possible furlough or release of other US citizens detained in Iran.

US state department spokesperson Ned Price said: “We were deeply gratified to learn from the UN Secretary-General today that Iran has lifted the travel ban imposed on Baquer Namazi.”

The department was grateful that Siamak Namazi “has been granted a humanitarian furlough in order to be with his father”, Price said.