TEHRAN: Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has been detained in Iran on charges of violating the country's laws, according to a statement released by the Foreign Media General Directorate of the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Sala, who traveled to Iran on a journalist's visa, was arrested on December 19, 2024, marking a significant development in the ongoing efforts to balance foreign media presence and local regulations.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has expressed its commitment to welcoming journalists from international media outlets and ensuring their legal rights are protected. The Ministry reaffirmed that the current government is actively pursuing policies to increase foreign media presence within Iran, highlighting the importance of this engagement for international understanding.

The statement from the Ministry detailed that Sala, an Italian citizen, had arrived in Iran on December 13, 2024, and was subsequently detained six days later. Her arrest was described as being conducted in compliance with existing regulations, although specific details of the alleged violations were not disclosed. The Ministry emphasized that the case is currently under investigation.

The Italian embassy in Tehran has been notified of Sala's detention. The statement further noted that she has been granted consular access and maintains contact with her family by phone, ensuring that her rights as a foreign national are respected during the investigation process.