Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has been detained in Iran's Evin prison for over a week, Italy's foreign ministry said on December 27, adding another layer of complexity to Iran's relationships with Western nations.

Sala, 29, a reporter for Il Foglio newspaper and Chora Media, was arrested in Tehran on December 19 while working on a series of podcast episodes with a valid journalist visa, according to Chora Media.

The company said she is being held in solitary confinement, with no official reason provided for her detention, according to the Italian Embassy in Tehran.

The arrest comes shortly after Iran summoned a senior Italian diplomat and the Swiss ambassador, who represents US interests in the country, over the arrest of two Iranian nationals.

One of the individuals was detained in Italy at Washington's request.

Italian authorities said they are monitoring the situation with "utmost attention," confirming that their ambassador has visited Sala in prison.

The journalist has maintained phone contact with her family using her mobile phone, which is now in Iranian custody, according to ministry officials.

Chora Media said Sala had left Rome for Iran on December 12 and had produced three episodes of her "Stories" podcast before her scheduled return flight on December 20, which she was unable to board.

The media company initially kept the arrest quiet at the request of her family and Italian authorities, who had hoped discretion might expedite her release.

They have now launched a #FreeCecilia campaign.

"Her free voice has been silenced, and neither Italy nor Europe can tolerate this arbitrary arrest," Chora Media said in a statement calling for her immediate release.

Iranian officials have not immediately confirmed the arrest. Iranian media have reported the incident but cited foreign news agencies.

EU MEP, Hannah Neumann wrote on social media site X “Another hostage has been taken by Islamic Republic of Iran. Another assault on media freedom, on women, on international law.”

She added, “For all those still saying: “We need to judge them by their actions” - these are their actions.”