Italy has freed Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini, who was detained last month for his alleged role in a drone strike that killed three American service members and injured many others. Abedini, 38, was arrested in Milan in December under a warrant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which charged him and another individual, Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, with conspiring to export sensitive drone technology to Iran. Abedini specifically faced allegations of supplying materials used in the drone attack on a base in Jordan last year.
On Sunday, Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio requested the Milan court of appeal to lift Abedini’s arrest, determining that there were insufficient grounds to honor the U.S. extradition request. Following this development, Iranian state media reported that Abedini had safely returned to Tehran, citing a “misunderstanding” regarding his arrest.
Abedini’s release coincided with the recent freeing of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who had also been detained during her visit to Iran. Sala’s arrest occurred shortly after Abedini’s, raising suspicions that her release could have been tied to negotiations for Abedini’s freedom. The timing was further underscored by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s unexpected visit to the U.S. to meet President-elect Donald Trump shortly before both releases, indicating the potential for diplomatic maneuvering between Italy, Iran, and the U.S.
