Overview

• An Iranian court cleared the 19-year-old Franco-German of espionage this week, citing legal principles and doubts about the alleged crime.
• France’s foreign minister announced his release as embassy staff sheltered him in Tehran and facilitated his departure, with arrival in France expected Thursday.
• Le Point reported he left Iranian airspace on a commercial flight to Dubai before continuing on to France.
• His parents expressed relief in a statement relayed to AFP by their lawyer, Chirinne Ardakani.
• French officials renewed calls to free Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, as Iranian and French statements point to possible—but unfinalized—swap talks involving Mahdieh Esfandiari held in France.