Iranian National Released from Italian Custody, Returns to Tehran

Iranian national Mohammad Abedini, arrested in Italy on a US warrant, has been released and returned to Iran, Al Jazeera reports, citing Iranian officials.

The confirmation came from both the Iranian Foreign Ministry and judiciary on Sunday, with the judiciary’s news outlet, Mizan, describing the arrest as a “misunderstanding.”

According to Mizan, Abedini’s release was secured following talks between Iranian and Italian intelligence agencies. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei welcomed Abedini’s return and reiterated the ministry’s commitment to defending the rights of Iranian citizens abroad.

Abedini had been arrested in Italy on December 16th, accused by the US of involvement in supplying drone technology used in a January 2024 attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers. He was slated to appear in a Milan court regarding his request for house arrest, while awaiting potential extradition to the United States.

However, the Italian Justice Ministry intervened, requesting an appeals court to revoke Abedini’s arrest, arguing that it “did not correspond to any conduct recognised by Italian law as a crime.”

The release comes shortly after Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was freed from Iranian custody. Sala, detained in Tehran while on a regular journalist visa, had been accused of “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic.” Her release last week saw her greeted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Meloni’s visit to meet with then President-elect Trump several days before was also noted.

While some have speculated that Sala’s detention was linked to Abedini’s arrest, Iranian officials have vehemently denied any connection. Tehran has been accused in the past of using detainees as bargaining chips in negotiations with Western powers.

Abedini’s release also follows a series of other significant events. A Swiss national recently died in an Iranian prison, while an Iranian-American journalist was sentenced to 10 years for “collaborating with the hostile US government.” Iran has repeatedly accused the West, particularly the US, of targeting its citizens due to Washington’s sanctions, many of which were implemented after the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal.

The releases and detentions occur amidst a volatile geopolitical climate in the Middle East and heightened tensions between Iran and the West, with the looming second term of a Trump presidency. Top Iranian military commanders have recently issued warnings against any strikes on Iranian nuclear or energy infrastructure.

In a show of force, Iranian armed forces recently completed large-scale military drills, practicing the layered defense of its Fordow and Khondab nuclear sites. Additionally, Iran unveiled another “missile city,” showcasing hundreds of ballistic missiles, and paraded 110,000 troops in Tehran. These actions come after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and are seen as a warning to Israel and the United States. The exercises also included simulated attacks on key nuclear facilities, such as Natanz.