Iranian officials yesterday released American journalist Roxana Saberi, and her lawyer said yesterday that the 32-year-old may return to the United States as early as next week. While President Barack Obama described the suspension of Saberi’s eight-year prison sentence as "humanitarian," many diplomatic officials suggest that the move was purely political.

The Obama administration has been working on thawing relations with the republic, and, according to sources, made Saberi’s release a key component of potential talks. One administration official told The New York Times, "There wasn’t going to be any major new administration initiative toward Iran without this case resolved.”

Saberi was arrested in January after buying a bottle of wine, but was later charged with working as a journalist without a permit and with espionage.

Though the details remain unknown, the journalist’s lawyer told The Washington Post, "[Saberi] accepted she had made a mistake and got access to documents she should not have. But there was no transfer of any classified information."