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.

Cecilia Sala, 29, was detained last month while on a reporting trip. She had been held for 20 days and told her family that she was kept in isolation.

ROME: Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was freed by Iran on Wednesday (Jan 8) and returned home, three weeks after she was detained in Tehran during a reporting trip. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Mel