As the Biden administration seeks the release of four US citizens held by Iran, a former prisoner has filed a $1 billion lawsuit against the Islamic Republic for alleged acts of terrorism, hostage-taking and torture.

US Navy veteran Michael White suffered “brutal physical and psychological torture” during his nearly two years in Iranian custody, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday by White and his family in a federal court in Washington. It names the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as defendants.

“I always planned to try to bring a lawsuit against Iran,” White told Al-Monitor, adding that the "number one reason is to hold Iran accountable," as well as “raise the voice of victims of the Iranian hostage-taking enterprise."

The California native traveled to Iran in July 2018 to visit a woman he considered to be his girlfriend, but was arrested 10 days later. He was accused of being an American spy and handed a 10-year sentence for "cooperating with a hostile foreign government” and insulting Iran’s supreme leader. After 683 days in prison, Iranian authorities released White as part of an agreement mediated by Switzerland.