American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been freed after being kidnapped in Baghdad, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said she had been taken by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata'ib Hizballah and that the United States is working to support her safe departure from Iraq.

The Iran-backed militia had announced a day earlier that it would release Kittleson, who was abducted in central Baghdad last week. The group stated that she must leave Iraq immediately following her release.

Her kidnapping and release came amid heightened tensions involving Iran and the United States. The situation unfolded shortly before President Donald Trump set a deadline related to the Strait of Hormuz, and later announced a two-week ceasefire with Tehran.