Iran Summons Italian Ambassador In The Aftermath Of Detention Of Citizens Wanted By America

JAKARTA - Iran's foreign ministry summoned Italy's ambassador regarding the detention of an Iranian citizen wanted by the United States.

The Iranian is suspected of having played a role in the deadly drone strike against US troops.

The summons on Friday, January 3 came a day after a similar action by Italy over the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Iran, who was arrested in Tehran on December 19 while working on a journalist's visa.

Iranian foreign ministry officials urged Italy to reject America's hostage-taking policy - which goes against international law, particularly human rights.

Iran called on Italy to release Mohammad Abedini as soon as possible and prevent bilateral ties, according to Iranian media reported by Reuters on Saturday, January 4.

In a separate case, on Thursday, the Iranian embassy in Rome said Italian journalist Sala received all necessary humanitarian aid, and for the first time, linked his case to the Abedini case.

Sala was arrested for "violating the law of the Islamic Republic". But Iran did not provide further information.

Sala was detained three days after Abedini, an Iranian businessman, was arrested at Milan's Malpensa airport on a US order for allegedly supplying drone parts that Washington said were used in a 2023 attack that killed three US military members in Jordan.

Iran denies involvement in the attack.

Abedini is currently being held in prison and this month the court will decide whether to place him under house arrest while the judge is considering a request for US extradition.

In recent years, Iranian security forces have arrested dozens of foreigners and dual citizenship, mostly on charges of espionage and security. Human rights groups accuse Iran of trying to get concessions from other countries through the arrests. Iran denies this.