Iranian Foreign Ministry in Rome on Friday said its police arrested an Italian journalist working for Il Foglio newspaper.
The ministry said the journalist, Cecilia Sala, was in Iran to carry out journalistic work when the police stopped her.
It is not yet clear the reason behind her arrest or what exactly she is being accused of.
The ministry said that Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani is following the case with the utmost attention.
Italy is working with the Iranian authorities to clarify the legal situation and to verify the conditions of detention.
Earlier on Friday the Italian ambassador to Iran visited the detained journalist.
