Italy releases Iranian businessman wanted by US in deadly drone attack on troops

Mohammad Abedini was arrested in Italy last month at the behest of the US for supplying parts for drone used in 2024 attack

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This satellite photo shows a military base known as Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan, where the 2024 drone attack occurred. File photo: Planet Labs PBC via AP

Published: 6:37am, 13 Jan 2025Updated: 1:59pm, 13 Jan 2025

Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini, who had been detained in Italy on a US warrant, on Sunday left jail and returned to Iran after Rome’s justice minister filed to revoke his arrest.

Abedini was arrested in Milan last month for allegedly supplying drone parts that Washington says were used in a 2024 attack that killed three US service members in Jordan. Iran denied involvement in the attack.

Italian media linked his case to the detention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was seized in Tehran three days after Abedini was arrested. She returned home on Wednesday. Iran dismissed allegations it had imprisoned her to pressure Rome to release Abedini.

“Mohammad Abedini was detained due to a misunderstanding which was resolved through … Iran’s foreign ministry efforts and negotiations between the concerned departments of the intelligence ministry of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Italian intelligence services,” reported Mizan, the news agency of Iran’s judiciary.

Mohammad Abedini’s release comes just days after Iranian authorities released Italian journalist Cecilia Sala (pictured) from a Tehran jail. Photo: EPA-EFE

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei and the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news agency confirmed that Abedini had arrived in Iran on Sunday.