The White House has made an appeal to Iran to return a retired FBI agent thought to be held in the country as well as two other US citizens.
Robert Levinson, the former FBI agent, disappeared during a business trip to Iran's Kish Island in March 2007.
The United States believes the private investigator and father of seven was abducted and is being held in Iran.
After Levinson's disappearance, his family received a video, in which he is seen pleading for release, as well as photos of him dressed like a detainee at the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Levinson's case was a topic in recent negotiations between US and Iran aimed at addressing Iran's nuclear program and improving diplomatic ties.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Tuesday that Obama specifically raised Levinson's case as well as those of US citizens Saeed Abedini and Amir Hekmati, who have been detained in Iran, during a telephone conversation earlier in the year with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Abedini is a pastor; Hekmati is a former US Marine.
"It is our view that all of these Americans should have the opportunity to come home," Earnest told reporters travelling with Obama in Los Angeles.
"The US government has made a respectful request of the Iranian regime during this holiday season to consider on humanitarian grounds releasing these three Americans, or at least releasing the two Americans we know are detained and locating the whereabouts of the third, Mr Levinson."
A written statement the White House released before Earnest spoke said the US remained committed to finding and bringing home Levinson, who is from Coral Springs, Florida.
"We respectfully ask the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to assist us in securing Mr Levinson's health, welfare and safe return," the statement said.
Hekmati's sister Sarah Hekmati said on Tuesday that she and her family hope more frequent discussions between US and Iranian officials will lead to her brother's release after more than two years.
"We feel more reassured that Amir's case can be raised now with this bridge that's been built ... and we can be closer to a resolution," she said.
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