Paul Moss

Because it's quite a contrast with other cases of foreign nationals. Very much so. There are European prisoners who remain in detention in Iran. What is interesting about the release of Cecilia Sala is that she is a well-known journalist, a podcaster in Italy. She's 29. She works for Quora Media.

Because it's quite a contrast with other cases of foreign nationals. Very much so. There are European prisoners who remain in detention in Iran. What is interesting about the release of Cecilia Sala is that she is a well-known journalist, a podcaster in Italy. She's 29. She works for Quora Media.

And because the case was taken up by Giorgia Maloney so fast, this was treated with uproar by the Italian public when news emerged of her being arrested. Within days, Maloney was talking to the US administration and only just this last weekend... She flew to the United States and talked to Donald Trump about it, we think.

And because the case was taken up by Giorgia Maloney so fast, this was treated with uproar by the Italian public when news emerged of her being arrested. Within days, Maloney was talking to the US administration and only just this last weekend... She flew to the United States and talked to Donald Trump about it, we think.

So the Iranians are not confirming that at all, but the U.S. State Department has said it could be. And some State Department officials have been quoted in Italian media saying that cases are definitely linked. And the timing is clearly interesting because she was arrested in Tehran three days after the arrest of an Iranian man. at Milan's Malpensa airport.

So the Iranians are not confirming that at all, but the U.S. State Department has said it could be. And some State Department officials have been quoted in Italian media saying that cases are definitely linked. And the timing is clearly interesting because she was arrested in Tehran three days after the arrest of an Iranian man. at Milan's Malpensa airport.

Now, the reason why Abedini was arrested was, this explains the American link, is that it was on a US arrest warrant. He was wanted, along with another man, in connection with allegedly smuggling information about US drones to the Iranians, electronic equipment. And that electronic drone equipment is thought to have been involved in the killing of three Americans Air Force personnel in Jordan.

Now, the reason why Abedini was arrested was, this explains the American link, is that it was on a US arrest warrant. He was wanted, along with another man, in connection with allegedly smuggling information about US drones to the Iranians, electronic equipment. And that electronic drone equipment is thought to have been involved in the killing of three Americans Air Force personnel in Jordan.

Paul Kirby.

Paul Kirby.

The Estlink 2 cable, as it's called, stopped working on Christmas Day and it didn't really require a major investigation to guess why this happened because at exactly the same time it stopped, a ship passed overhead, slowing down as it did so. This was the Eagle S. registered to the Cook Islands in the Pacific. But Finland believes it was controlled by Russia.

The Estlink 2 cable, as it's called, stopped working on Christmas Day and it didn't really require a major investigation to guess why this happened because at exactly the same time it stopped, a ship passed overhead, slowing down as it did so. This was the Eagle S. registered to the Cook Islands in the Pacific. But Finland believes it was controlled by Russia.

They boarded the ship and they found evidence that the anchor had been dragged along the seabed to sever the cable. And you could have forgiven them for having a sense of deja vu because in November, a communications cable just off Sweden was also severed just as a Chinese ship passed overhead and slowed down. Now, we should say that undersea cables do sometimes malfunction.

They boarded the ship and they found evidence that the anchor had been dragged along the seabed to sever the cable. And you could have forgiven them for having a sense of deja vu because in November, a communications cable just off Sweden was also severed just as a Chinese ship passed overhead and slowed down. Now, we should say that undersea cables do sometimes malfunction.

But these two are just the latest in an increasing number, way too many, many think to be a coincidence.

But these two are just the latest in an increasing number, way too many, many think to be a coincidence.

Well, they're just launching patrols, they say, to have ships to protect the remaining cable, the Estlink-1. The Estonian Defence Minister, Hanno Pevko, has described this as critical marine infrastructure. And you can see why the two cables, S-Link 1 and 2, carry electricity from Finland. If the S-Link 1 was also cut, well, you know, they could carry on.

Well, they're just launching patrols, they say, to have ships to protect the remaining cable, the Estlink-1. The Estonian Defence Minister, Hanno Pevko, has described this as critical marine infrastructure. And you can see why the two cables, S-Link 1 and 2, carry electricity from Finland. If the S-Link 1 was also cut, well, you know, they could carry on.

They would still have electricity in Estonia, but the price would rise. And Mr. Pevko called for other NATO countries to help protect the cables. As you say, this looks like it's going to happen. NATO has said within the last hour. It will step up patrols in the Baltic. This sounds like it's becoming a bit of a military matter. And I don't suppose really we should be surprised.

They would still have electricity in Estonia, but the price would rise. And Mr. Pevko called for other NATO countries to help protect the cables. As you say, this looks like it's going to happen. NATO has said within the last hour. It will step up patrols in the Baltic. This sounds like it's becoming a bit of a military matter. And I don't suppose really we should be surprised.