After arriving in Lebanon, Nizar Zakka, the Lebanese citizen who was incarcerated in Iran since 2016 on the charge of espionage, denied his charges and described his incarceration as kidnapping.

Zakka, who is also a U.S permanent resident, told the reporters in Beirut: “I won’t get into the details of my unjust arrest and show trial that I was subjected to”, but “my incarceration in Iran made me more determined to defend human rights.”

Zakka ledt Iran in the company of Abbas Ibrahim, chairman of Lebanon's General Security Directorate.

The official Twitter account of the General Security Directorate also released a photo of Zakka and Ibrahim.

Zakka went on deny reports that his release was part of a broader deal but said that it had helped avert further escalation in the region.

After meeting with President Michel Aoun who had requested his release from Iran, Zakka stated: Mr. president, my family and I owe you for the rest of my life for what you did in order for me to win my freedom. I went there (to Iran) upon an official invitation to a country where I was kidnapped.”

Nizar Zakka was invited to Iran in 2016 by the Iranian government officials to attend a summit regarding the "role of women in progress" and was arrested by the security forces for “espionage” and sentenced to 10 years in prison and $4 million in fines.

U.S Press secretary Sarah Sanders issued a statement regarding Zakka’s release, saying “We’re thankful for the release of the individual in Iran. The big question is there’s several others and we want to see those people released as well.”