Iran's foreign ministry summoned Italy's ambassador to Tehran, Paola Amadei, on Friday to protest Italy's detention of Iranian citizen Mohammad Abedini, wanted by Washington on terrorism charges, and called the arrest illegal.
Majid Nili Ahmadabadi, director general for Western Europe at Iran’s foreign ministry, called the arrest illegal, saying it was carried out at the request of the US as part of its "hostile agenda" against Iran, according to state media.
Ahmadabadi warned that the detention harms bilateral relations and violates international law, urging Italy to facilitate Abedini's release. The Italian ambassador reportedly pledged to convey the message to Rome.
State media reports on the summons made no mention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who has been detained in Tehran in a likely attempt to exchange her for Abedini.
