Iran Denies Elon Musk's Role in Release of Italian Journalist

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed reports that Elon Musk, advisor to former President Donald Trump, played any role in the recent release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala.

Baghaei dismissed reports from the New York Times in November as "media storytelling and pure fabrication," The Caspian Post reports, citing Iranian media.

Officials from the Italian Foreign Ministry also said they had no knowledge of any connection between Musk and Sala’s release.

Baghaei also reiterated that there was no meeting between Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani and Elon Musk.

Cecilia Sala, a 29-year-old journalist and podcaster, was arrested in Iran last month on unspecified charges, despite holding a valid press pass. She was placed in solitary confinement, raising international concerns about her well-being.

A source familiar with discussions between Sala's family and the Italian government told Iran International that Tehran had tied her release to Italy’s handling of an Iranian detainee.

Iran suggested that Sala’s freedom was contingent on the release of Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, a 38-year-old Iranian detained by Italian authorities at the request of the United States, according to the source. Tehran denies any connection between the two cases.

Following Sala's release, Najafabadi was also freed on Sunday by Italian authorities, according to Iran's Judiciary.