This is the right question. Are people in his situation ever set free? What is the most common way this occurs? We can’t invade Iran. Do they ever bow to social pressure of any kind? Is there some other form of pressure or influence that can be exerted to secure his release? OP you know the terrain and norms there better than us. So how can we help?
We are talking about a ruthless government, which is hard to predict, but what has been proven in the past is that being not famous or not covering by the media can end very badly [0]. On the other hand, raising awareness in the past has saved people's lives. An example I remember was physics researcher Omid Kokabi [1], who was finally released from Evin prison after years of pressure from the international community.
Yes. Media attention does bring a level of accountability and pressure to the system and in cases has pressed them into a little more transparent due process.
The US, or Israel, or Saudi could probably negotiate a prisoner release. However, the price could be releasing some Iranian who's imprisoned there, at the very least.
