Lebanon releases Iranian diplomat's cash after airport seizure

Iran's demand has not been previously reported and had been left unsaid by senior Italian officials, including the prime minister, eager for a swift end to the crisis.

Newspaper journalist and podcaster Cecilia Sala, 29, was arrested on unspecified charges last month and placed in solitary confinement despite working in the country on a valid press pass.

Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, 38, was arrested by Italian authorities at the behest of the United States for his alleged role in providing technology used to kill three US soldiers in a drone attack in Jordan.

Speaking to Iran International on condition of anonymity, a source familiar with discussions between the Italian government and Sala's family said Iran conveyed its terms for her release to Italy’s ambassador in Tehran.

Iran, the source said, is prepared to free Sala “on humanitarian grounds" if the Italian government drops the extradition proceedings against Abedini and grants his release from Milan's brooding La Opera prison.

On Friday, Sala's parents issued an statement calling on the media to observe a press blackout, citing the delicate nature of efforts to secure her release.

"To try to bring her home, our government has mobilized to the maximum, and now, in addition to the efforts of the Italian authorities, confidentiality and discretion are also necessary,” Italian media quoted her parents, Elizabeth Vernoni and Renato Sala, as saying in a statement.

“The stage we have reached is, however, very delicate, and the feeling is that the great media debate on what can or should be done risks prolonging the times and making a solution more complicated and distant," they added.

The Italian foreign ministry has demand Sala's “immediate release ... (and) full assurances regarding her conditions of detention.”

Sala told her family in New Year’s Day calls that her prescription glasses had been confiscated, her cell is barely longer than her own height and that she is forced to sleep on a blanket spread on the floor, according to Italian media.

A package of basic necessities, she added, including a sleeping mask, cigarettes, a book and a sweater—assembled by the Italian embassy was never delivered to her, despite Iranian officials having told Italian diplomats she would receive it.

Her food, mainly dates, is passed to her through a slot in the cell door and therefor she rarely sees her jailers, she reportedly added.

Accusation withheld

On December 30—11 days after Sala’s detention—Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance issued a statement confirming Sala had been arrested ten days earlier for “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

Italian authorities believe the absence of any formal charges against Sala, the source told Iran International, while highlighting the arbitrary nature of her detention, could also mean Iranian officials are deliberately withholding an official accusation.

This would allow them to either release her easily if Italy cooperates on Abedini’s case, otherwise the ambiguity could empower Tehran to charge Sala with more serious offenses and impose a heavy sentence in retaliation.

At the same time, the Italian Embassy in Tehran has announced that Iran’s foreign ministry provided a list of Iranian lawyers to Paola Amadei, Italy’s ambassador, so Sala’s defense counsel can be chosen from among them.

The move belatedly grants her case the appearance of a genuine legal proceeding on par with Abedini’s in Italy.

“Complex" case

On December 20, three days after Abedini was arrested at Milan Airport, he opposed his extradition in his first court appearance. The judge issued a temporary detention order, starting a legal process that could take up to two months.

That same day at around 12:30 PM—less than an hour after the Milan court hearing ended and Abedini’s detention order was issued—Sala was arrested in Tehran.

Given that Sala’s presence in Iran was lawful and that the Ministry of Culture was aware of her itinerary, the timing was the first clear indication the cases are linked.

Italian authorities’ official statements, however, were careful not to do so.

After a week of silence about Sala’s detention—the news of which was kept from the media and public—Italian government officials have dwelled only generally on the complexity and sensitivity of her case.

“This case is complex, but we are using all possible channels of dialogue to obtain Sala’s freedom,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melon said, emphasizing her government’s tireless efforts to secure Sala’s swift release.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani too shied away from mooting an Iranian demand for a swap, saying, “We are working to resolve this complicated matter and ensuring that Cecilia Sala is held under the best possible conditions.”

The third party in this legal and diplomatic triangle—the United States, Italy’s close ally and a longtime adversary of the Islamic Republic—took a more explicit stance.

“Cecilia Sala’s detention in Tehran occurred after an Iranian national accused of smuggling drone parts was arrested in Italy," a US State Department spokesperson told La Repubblica newspaper.

"We reiterate our call for the immediate, unconditional release of all individuals who are arbitrarily and unjustly detained in Iran and are being used as political leverage.”

Referring to mounting public pressure for Sala's release, the source told Iran International that Italian officials assured her family they are working without stint.

“They have not explicitly stated they will agree to a swap demanded by Iran,” the source said, “but they have made it clear that all options are under consideration and that they will bring Sala home.”

Italy denies house arrest

While the Italian government still believes that any public political stance or diplomatic standoff with the Islamic Republic might worsen an already difficult negotiation, the country’s judiciary appears unlikely to show leniency.

Tehran may have viewed acceptance of Abedini’s lawyer’s request for a transfer to house arrest as a sign of goodwill from Italy.

The United States Justice Department strongly opposed any form of house arrest in a letter to the Court of Appeal in Milan.

Milan’s chief prosecutor, Francesca Nanni, told the court on Thursday she opposed placing Abedini under house arrest or granting him conditional release, citing inadequate assurances from the Iranian consulate that he would not attempt to flee.

The prosecutor’s recommendations are non-binding and the judges will make their decision in a hearing whose date is due to be announced on Friday.

A notorious precedent is the case of Artem Uss, a Russian businessman and son of a Russian oligarch,who fled Italy in 2023 after being placed under house arrest—despite a US extradition requests—causing a public scandal for the Italian judiciary.

Political options

Italian law allows its justice minister to intervene and halt an extradition and order the release and expulsion of a detainee.

But such a move would be politically sensitive, given that the Milan prosecutor’s office is currently acting on behalf of the justice ministry by insisting on Abedini’s continued detention, and Washington accuses him of abetting terrorist enemies.

Yet if this remains the only route to free Cecilia Sala—given the Islamic Republic’s record of exchanging detained foreign nationals for prisoners and political or economic concessions—Rome could plausibly concede.

The gravity of the matter has prompted Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her deputy, Alfredo Mantovano—who oversees the nation’s intelligence agencies—to lead the behind-the-scenes efforts to secure Sala’s freedom.

Sala’s family is unmoved by officialdom's tactful negotiations so far, the source told Iran International. They have made it clear in meetings with government officials that they will accept no justification for Sala remaining behind bars.

Iranian media on Friday quoted Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh as saying, "Trump is focused on domestic issues, with most of his time spent negotiating with business owners and corporate leaders in the United States. Therefore, Iran should not be viewed through the lens of players like Netanyahu. It is Netanyahu who is trying to make Iran Trump’s top priority in the Middle East."

Falahatpisheh, former chairman of the Iranian parliament's foreign relations committee during the 2010s, is a prominent and authoritative voice among Tehran’s commentators who are permitted regular media appearances. Known for his more independent and pragmatic views on foreign policy, he often contrasts with others who tread more cautiously in their remarks.

His remarks came in the wake of a call by one of President Masoud Pezeshkian's aides, who recently advocated direct negotiations with Trump, emphasizing the need for a new foreign policy to strengthen Iran’s international position.

Ali Abdolalizadeh, who headed Pezeshkian’s election campaign, said on December 31 that "We must negotiate with Mr. Trump. The country's issues cannot be left unresolved, and the entire establishment has also reached the conclusion that direct negotiations are necessary."

Falahatpisheh in his remarks emphasized that “Based on the historical experience with Trump and his associates, his close circle consistently takes a hardline stance against Iran, and Trump’s own history is defined by his policy of maximum pressure.” However, he argued that at this juncture the issue of Ukraine is the priority for the president-elect.

He voiced his opposition to attempts by certain Iranian officials to make conciliatory remarks directed at the incoming US administration. “Proactively seeking negotiations with the United States cannot safeguard Iran's national interests. I see that some of Mr. Pezeshkian's associates are talking about engaging in dialogue with Trump and are attempting to send unreciprocated signals. These very signals reflect weakness in Iran's position.”

Falahatpisheh emphasized that Iran's primary focus in the coming month should be on strengthening its national security. He highlighted the importance of addressing domestic discontent, particularly by tackling economic challenges, as a critical first step.

"I believe Trump’s approach toward Iran will involve reviving the maximum pressure policy while also presenting a proposal for negotiations. Naturally, the extent to which this proposal warrants consideration will determine how Iran shapes its foreign policy in response," Falahatpisheh said.

Writing in Foreign Affairs on Thursday in an article titled “A Last Chance for Iran,” Richard Nephew weighed the virtues of negotiation and conflict with Washington's top Mideast foe.

Nephew, a former State Department sanctions expert, observed that Iran’s nuclear program had reached a critical stage, with the country now possessing nearly all the components required to produce a nuclear weapon.

At the same time, the international coalition enforcing sanctions has fractured, with nations such as China, India, and Russia undermining pressure efforts. This, he argues, complicates the path to a diplomatic resolution but does not negate its necessity.

Diplomacy alone, he cautioned, may not suffice. While military action carries significant risks, including the likelihood of only delaying Iran’s nuclear ambitions and potentially escalating regional instability, Nephew contends that the alternative, a nuclear-armed Iran, poses long-term dangers.

These include triggering a regional arms race and eroding US credibility in managing global non-proliferation efforts.

Nephew underscored the urgency of strategic preparation, advocating for a dual-track approach: a final, genuine attempt at negotiations to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions paired with readiness to act militarily should diplomacy fail. He emphasized that the stakes demand a calibrated response that addresses the immediate risks while preparing for the broader implications of a nuclear-capable Iran.

This is after US President-elect Donald Trump during an interview with Time magazine last month declined to rule out the possibility of war with Iran. His remarks came despite his repeated campaign assertions that he was not seeking to overthrow Tehran’s theocratic rulers through military force.

When asked by a Time reporter about the likelihood of war with Iran, referring to allegations by US law enforcement that Iran had plotted to assassinate him, Trump responded, "Anything can happen. Anything can happen. It's a very volatile situation."

The cases were initiated under orders from the city prosecutor. Those summoned are expected to attend an arraignment session in the coming days.

They face accusations of “propaganda against the state” for “dancing, celebrating, and symbolic acts” during the event, as well as for sharing a video of the gathering on social media.

According to Kurdpa, among those summoned are family members of slain teenage protester Kumar Daroftadeh and Amir Farastishad, both killed by state security forces in Piranshahr during Iran's Woman, Life, Freedom uprising sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in 2022.

Biden and his national security team reviewed scenarios during a meeting around a month ago but the president has not authorized any strike, the sources said.

The discussion was part of "prudent scenario planning" and was not prompted by new intelligence a US official told Axios.

Sullivan did not make any recommendation to Biden on the issue, but only discussed scenario planning, the report added citing a US official.

No active discussions about military action are currently underway, another source said.

The United States has long sought to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a concern that has driven years of diplomacy and sanctions.

Tehran asserts that its nuclear program is for civilian use only and has steadily expanded it since Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The Biden administration attempted to revive the agreement or negotiate a new one, which never materialised, leading Washington and its allies to consider other options to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Tensions between the two countries have also been exacerbated by Iran's regional activities, including its support for militant groups and armed allied groups across the Middle East.

US president-elect Donald Trump has said that his only red line is for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, while making clear that he does not seek war or regime change in the country.