American citizen Michael White was detained in Iran nearly a year ago but was released on Jun. 4 citing a deal with Tehran. White's mother Joanne White released a statement to confirm that her son has finally been freed, describing her relief saying the nightmare is over.

The Tehran deal, which comprised freeing Michael White required America to agree to release Matteo Taerri (a.k.a Majid Taheri), an Iranian-American doctor who had disobeyed US sanctions against Iran, a U.S. official said. In Jul. 2018, White traveled to Iran to meet his alleged girlfriend, but in Jan. 2019, Iran announced that the 48-year-old Navy veteran has been arrested in Mashhad, a city located in northeast Iran.

According to the State Department, White had been in custody since 2018, serving a 13-year sentence. Aside from posting private details online, White was charged with insulting the country's Supreme Leader. White's release comes when the tension between Tehran and Washington continues to rise as Trump administration maintains its policy of applying maximum pressure against Iran.

The announcement came just a day after the deportation of Iranian scientists Sirous Asgari from the United States. The State Department said Asgari's release wasn't a part of the prisoner swap. In her recently released statement, Joanne White said the 683 days her son was detained in Iran was nothing short of a nightmare.

She said the nightmare was finally over as her son is on his way back home without any sort of problem. Asking for privacy, she said Michael will divulge details about the incident himself soon. On Jun. 4, President Trump said in a tweet that he spoke to White over the phone, adding that the Navy veteran will soon be boarding a U.S. plane and is on his way home to the United States.

Suggesting a deal is possible, Trump thanked Iran, while pointing out that over 40 American detainees and hostages have safely returned home since he took office. White's release is also significant as it comes amid ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington as the Trump administration continues to apply maximum pressure against Iran.

It is also worth noting that just a day earlier, Iranian scientist Sirous Asgari was deported from America, but the State Department said his release was not a part of a prisoner swap. White was kept in a jail in Mashhad until March and was released on a medical furlough and shifted to Tehran.