Rubio said officials from the Pentagon, the FBI, and the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council played a role in securing her release. He added that efforts are ongoing to ensure her safe departure from Iraq.

The group had earlier announced that it would release Kittleson and instructed her to leave the country immediately. Her release came after increased pressure from the Iraqi government and several influential Shiite leaders.

According to reports, Kittleson is a freelance journalist based in Rome who has covered multiple conflicts in the Middle East and contributed to international media outlets.

A video circulating on social media appeared to show her speaking in English against a plain background. However, the authenticity and timing of the video could not be independently verified.

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In the video, a woman identifying herself as Kittleson speaks directly to the camera, but it remains unclear where and when it was recorded.

This development follows a similar past incident in which another foreign researcher was abducted by Kataib Hezbollah and later released after prolonged negotiations.

The case highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, especially for foreign journalists and researchers working in conflict zones.