On January 3, 2025, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Italian Ambassador Paola Amadi due to the ongoing detention of Iranian citizen Mohammad Abedini in Italy. This action followed Italy's similar move after the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Tehran on December 19 while working under a press visa.
Iranian media reported that an official urged Italy to reject the 'American hostage policy,' which contradicts international law and human rights, and to work towards the immediate release of Abedini to prevent damage to bilateral relations.
The Iranian embassy in Rome stated that Sala received necessary humanitarian care and linked her case to that of Abedini for the first time. Iran claimed that Sala was arrested for allegedly violating the laws of the Islamic Republic, without providing further details.
Abedini was detained at Milan's Malpensa Airport three days prior to Sala's arrest based on a U.S. warrant accusing him of supplying drone parts purportedly used in a 2023 attack that killed three American soldiers in Jordan. Iran has denied any involvement in the attack.
Currently imprisoned, Abedini's case is set for a court ruling this month regarding the possibility of house arrest while judges consider the U.S. extradition request. In recent years, Iranian security forces have detained dozens of foreigners and dual nationals, primarily on charges related to espionage and security. Human rights groups have accused Iran of attempting to extract concessions from other nations through such arrests, a claim that Iran denies.