Italian Journalist Celia Sala Released from Iranian Detention

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 Meloni later tweeted about Sala’s return, stating on X, “Thanks to all those who helped make Cecilia’s return possible, allowing her to reembrace her family and colleagues.”

Observers speculate that Sala’s detention may have been linked to the arrest of Mohammad Abedini, an Iranian national, at Milan’s Malpensa airport three days earlier. Abedini, detained on a U.S. warrant, was accused of supplying drone technology used in a January 2024 attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan. The attack resulted in the deaths of three American troops.

A Pattern of Prisoner Diplomacy

The detentions of Sala and Abedini underscored ongoing tensions between Iran and the West. Italy faced a delicate balancing act, maintaining strong ties with Washington while fostering traditionally good relations with Tehran.

Iran has a long history of using prisoners as bargaining chips. In 2023, five Americans detained in Iran were freed in exchange for five Iranians in U.S. custody and the release of $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.