ROME — On Sunday, Italy decided to release an Iranian national sought by the United States in connection with a drone attack in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American servicemen last year. The Italian justice minister requested a court to revoke the arrest warrant for Mohammad Abedini, leading to his release. Iranian state television reported that Abedini had already made his way back to Iran later that day.

Abedini was due to appear at a Milan court on Wednesday regarding his request for house arrest while awaiting extradition to the United States. He had been detained under a U.S. warrant on December 16, just three days prior to the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was in Iran for a reporting assignment. Sala, who was presumed detained as leverage for Abedini’s release, was safely back home last week.

The U.S. Justice Department has alleged that Abedini was involved in providing the drone technology used in a January 2024 assault on a U.S. military installation in Jordan, claiming he played a part in the death of three American troops.

In an official statement released on Sunday, the Italian Justice Ministry clarified that according to the extradition agreements between Italy and the U.S., extradition can only occur if the crime in question is punishable by law in both countries. The ministry noted that, based on current documentation, such conditions were not met in Abedini’s case.

Furthermore, the potential charge against Abedini for criminal conspiracy related to breaches of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act—a federal law in the U.S.—“did not correspond to any actions classified as criminal under Italian law.”

According to Iranian state media, Abedini’s release and swift return to Iran followed efforts by the Iranian foreign ministry along with discussions between Iran’s intelligence officials and their Italian counterparts.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni referred to a strategic “diplomatic triangulation” involving Iran and the United States as crucial in negotiating Sala’s release, marking a significant admission of Washington’s role in the diplomatic efforts. Sala’s return occurred shortly after Meloni unexpectedly traveled to Florida to hold discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.