In her first televised interview since being freed from an Iranian detention center, Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has told how Elon Musk played a pivotal role in her release.
Sala, 29, who was set free on January 8, spoke about her harrowing 21-day imprisonment and the intricate diplomatic efforts that led to her freedom.
She was arrested in Tehran just days after Italy detained an Iranian national, Mohammad Abedini, on a U.S. warrant.
Their fates became intertwined as the U.S, Italy, and Iran engaged in what Premier Giorgia Meloni called "diplomatic triangulation."
Sala, who works for the Chora Media podcast platform and Il Foglio daily, revealed that she initially believed she would be held for much longer, especially given the lengthy detentions of other Western nationals in Iran.
But the series of negotiations ultimately secured her release and Abedini's return to Iran.
Why It Matters
Sala said her boyfriend, Daniele Ranieri, contacted Andrea Stroppa, Musk's representative in Italy, after noticing that he had met with Iran's U.N. ambassador.
This connection appeared to have played a central role in the negotiations.
During her detention, Sala endured significant hardships.
How Was Cecilia Sala Detained In Iran?
She was kept in solitary confinement without access to her glasses or contact lenses, making it difficult to see.
Her interrogations were intense—often lasting up to 10 hours a day—and conducted by someone who spoke "perfect English" and was well-versed in Italian affairs.
Sala also described the psychological toll of being denied basic comforts, including a Quran in English that she had requested, and the disorienting effect of being held in a brightly lit cell for 24 hours a day.
What To Know
Although Musk later downplayed his involvement, tweeting that he played only a "small role" in Sala's release, Sala believes that her boyfriend's contact with Musk's representative may have been "fundamental."
Musk clarified on Twitter, referencing a New York Times report, that while he did not have direct contact with Iranian officials, he "recommended support from the U.S. side."
How Did Elon Musk Help Secure Cecilia Sala's Release?
As negotiations unfolded, Meloni also visited Mar-a-Lago, where she met with former President Donald Trump, further complicating the international dynamics at play.
In a lighthearted moment after her release, Stroppa tweeted a Photoshopped image of Musk eating a plate of pasta—a playful reference to a promise Sala's mother made to cook Musk his favorite pasta in gratitude for his help.
Now back in Italy, she has moments of elation but admits she struggles with bouts of anxiety, which she says she hopes to manage as she moves forward.
What People Are Saying
Cecilia Sala said in an interview on the Italian talk show, Che Tempo Che Fa: "You understand that it's a case that concerns Iran, Italy, and the United States, so Elon Musk becomes a fundamental person."
Reflecting on her ordeal, she said: "You lose faith in your head when you don't talk for days. You don't trust your memory, and even responding to your interrogators becomes a pretty heavy psychological game."
What Happens Now
The diplomat-heavy negotiations that secured Cecilia Sala's release highlight Iran's ongoing use of detainees as political leverage and underscore the increasingly intricate web of international diplomacy involved in such high-stakes cases.
This story contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
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