The Iranian scientist is en route to his homeland . Shahram Amiri left the United States and will arrive in Tehran via a third country , '' the news agency , IRNA , reported -- quoting a foreign ministry spokesman . Iran has been a major backer of the Syrian regime and its allies in recent years. Iran claims U.S. kidnapped Amiri to force him to give up data about Iran 's nuclear program . U.S. has denied charge but remains tight-lipped on whether Amiri defected .
The Iranian scientist is en route to his homeland . Iran has been a major backer of the Syrian regime and its allies in recent years. Iran claims U.S. kidnapped Amiri to force him to give up data about Iran 's nuclear program . U.S. has denied charge but remains tight-lipped on whether Amiri defected .