An American citizen held in Afghanistan for nearly a year has been released following months of quiet negotiations led by Qatar, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Amir Amiri, who was detained in Afghanistan in December 2024, was freed on Sunday and is now en route to the United States. 

His release was made possible through the efforts of Qatari diplomats, working closely with the office of the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Response. Qatar has served as Washington’s protecting power in Afghanistan since the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.

The breakthrough followed diplomatic negotiations that began in March, when Qatari officials arranged a meeting between Amiri and the U.S. Special Envoy during a visit to Afghanistan. 

Throughout his detention, Qatari representatives carried out health checks and maintained regular contact with U.S. officials while the negotiations moved along.

Amiri’s case marks the fifth time this year that a U.S. citizen has been released from Afghan custody with Qatari help. Earlier in 2025, Americans Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were freed in January, while George Glezmann and Faye Hall were released separately in March.