Iranian scientist Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, who was detained in Italy over unfounded accusations, has been released and is expected to return home "within a few hours," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei announced on Sunday. 

According to a Press TV report, Iran’s Judiciary media center stated that Abedini Najafabadi was arrested in Italy due to a "misunderstanding", which was resolved following diplomatic efforts by the Iranian Foreign Ministry and negotiations between the intelligence units of both countries. These joint actions ultimately led to his release.

Iran previously summoned Italy's ambassador to Tehran, Paola Amadei, to protest the detention of Najafabadi. The Iranian Foreign Ministry called the arrest "illegal" and held the US responsible for orchestrating the action as part of a politically motivated campaign against Iran.

Recently, two Iranian nationals were arrested in the United States and Italy, reportedly on allegations of involvement in supplying drones used in attacks on US forces. Reports suggest these arrests are connected to a January 28, 2024, drone attack by Iraqi armed groups on a US military outpost in Jordan, known as Tower 22.

Background on the arrest

Abedini Najafabadi, 38, a mechanical engineering graduate from Sharif University of Technology, was apprehended on December 16 by Italian police at Milan Airport while preparing to travel to Switzerland. His arrest was based on a US warrant.

Majid Nili Ahmadabadi, Director General of West Europe at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, conveyed Iran's concerns during the meeting on Friday.

He criticized Italy's compliance with the US request, calling it an act of "political and hostile" intent that undermines international law.

Around the same time, in Massachusetts, US authorities arrested Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, an engineer working for an American semiconductor company.

The two arrests are reportedly connected to the same case, which centers on unverified allegations of violating US export laws and supplying Iran with technology allegedly used in the Jordan drone attack.

On Sunday, Italy’s justice ministry announced that it had submitted a request to revoke the arrest of Abedini Najafabadi.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed Abedini Najafabadi’s release and his imminent return to Iran. He highlighted the diplomatic efforts made to resolve the case and acknowledged the cooperation of all parties involved.

Baghaei emphasized that Iran’s Foreign Ministry remains committed to supporting the rights of Iranian nationals abroad and will spare no effort in fulfilling this responsibility.