The fate of an Italian journalist detained in Tehran and an Iranian engineer imprisoned in Italy on a U.S. warrant have grown even more intertwined

The fate of an Italian journalist detained in Tehran and an Iranian engineer imprisoned in Italy on a U.S. warrant grew even more intertwined Friday as the Iranian awaits possible extradition to the United States to face charges he provided drone technology to Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard corps.

Iran warned Italy on Friday that it risked harming good bilateral relations if it bows to the "political and hostile goals" of the United States by detaining an Iranian engineer on a U.S. warrant in connection with a drone attack in Jordan last year that killed three American troops.

Italy is working to secure the release of journalist Cecilia Sala, who's been detained in Iran since Dec. 19 for allegedly violating its laws.

Italy's ambassador to Tehran is meeting officials at the Iranian foreign ministry on Friday to present Rome's demands for the release of 29-year-old Italian journalist Cecilia Sala and for dignified conditions until she is freed after her arrest last month.