Italy has released Mohammad Abedini, an Iranian citizen accused by the United States of involvement in a January 2024 drone attack in Jordan that killed three American soldiers and injured more than 30 others.

Abedini’s release was confirmed on Sunday after Italy’s justice ministry canceled his extradition proceedings.

Abedini, 38, was arrested in Milan on December 16, 2024, under a U.S. warrant. The U.S. charged him with supplying drone technology to Iran that was allegedly used in the attack on a U.S. military base.

Italy’s justice ministry argued that the charges against Abedini did not meet the criteria for extradition, as the alleged crimes were not recognized under Italian law.

Following talks between Italian and Iranian intelligence services, Abedini was released and returned to Iran on Sunday. Iranian state media celebrated his release, and the Iranian foreign ministry reiterated its commitment to defending its citizens abroad.

Abedini’s release came just days after Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was freed following her detention in Tehran while on a reporting trip. Sala, who entered Iran on a journalist visa, had been accused of “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” 

Sala was detained on December 19, only three days after Abedini’s arrest in Italy. 

Sala’s release coincided with a surprise visit by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Florida, where she met with President-elect Donald Trump.

Meloni described Sala’s release as the outcome of a “diplomatic triangulation” involving Iran and the U.S.