“The Swedish government has worked intensively for them to be released,” he continued. “Today, they will land on Swedish soil and be reunited with their families and loved ones. Welcome home!”

An Iranian official confirmed the release of Hamid Nouri, writing on social media that he would arrive in Iran in the coming hours and saying that he had been held “illegally” in Sweden.

The freed prisoners were transferred from Tehran and Stockholm to Oman, which mediated the deal, on Saturday ahead of their return to their respective countries, Oman’s Foreign Ministry wrote on social media.