On January 7, 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni engaged in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, resulting in a delay of the extradition of Iranian national Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi to the United States. This decision follows the recent arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Iran.
Mohammad Abedini, 38, was detained at Milan Airport on December 26 at the request of the United States, facing allegations of violating U.S. sanctions by supplying drone technology linked to an attack on a U.S. base in Jordan, which resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers.
The Italian government is working to secure the release of Cecilia Sala, who was arrested in Tehran on December 19, 2024. Iranian officials have stated that her arrest is unrelated to Abedini's detention in Milan.
Ismail Baqai, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, characterized Sala's arrest as a violation of Iranian law, while asserting that Abedini's detention was a politically motivated act of kidnapping by the U.S.
The arrest of Sala has heightened diplomatic tensions between Tehran and Rome, with both countries summoning their ambassadors to express differing views regarding the detentions.
In a statement during the summoning of the Italian ambassador, Majid Nili Ahmadabadi, Director General for Western Europe at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, described Abedini's arrest as illegal and part of a broader U.S. strategy to kidnap Iranian citizens worldwide through extraterritorial enforcement of U.S. laws.
Despite Iran's claims, human rights organizations and Western nations have condemned Iran's actions as a form of kidnapping, reflecting a longstanding pattern in the country's foreign policy.
According to the Italian newspaper 'Il Giornale,' Meloni's discussions with Trump in Florida have provided her with a 'window of opportunity' to potentially delay Abedini's extradition and facilitate Sala's release.
Meloni, who has strong support from right-wing and populist parties in Italy, is expected to play a significant role in EU-U.S. relations following Trump’s return to the White House.
Additionally, French officials have expressed support for Meloni's efforts to secure Sala's release. U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Italy on January 12, and Meloni aims to find a resolution to the tensions with Iran and secure Sala's freedom by that date.