Sala’s arrest in Tehran last month had sparked fears of a lengthy hostage crisis. Italy is expected to free Iranian businessman, wanted by the U.S., as part of a deal.

Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has arrived back in the country’s capital after being freed from an Iranian prison where she had spent weeks in detention.

Italian journalist Cecilia Sala arrived in Rome on Wednesday after she was released from the Iranian prison. Italian PM Giorgia Meloni attributes Sala's return to intense work on diplomatic and intelligence channels.