(CNN) -- Michael White, an American detained in Iran, was released on Thursday after more than a year in custody, according to White's mother and a person familiar with the negotiations.

White, a US Navy veteran, traveled to Iran in July 2018. In January 2019, the Iranian government confirmed that White had been arrested in the city of Mashhad "a while ago." The State Department said he had been detained since 2018 and was serving a 13-year sentence.
Michael White's mother, Joanne White, confirmed in a statement that her son has been freed.

"For the past 683 days my son, Michael, has been held hostage in Iran by the IRGC and I have been living a nightmare. I am blessed to announce that the nightmare is over, and my son is safely on his way home," she said.

"We understand there is great interest in Michael's story. In time, Michael will tell it himself, his way," Joanne White said, asking for privacy.

Joanne White offered her prayers to the families of the Americans who remain detained in Iran.

She thanked the State Department, Swiss diplomats, and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, family spokesperson Jon Franks, lawyer Mark Zaid and Montel Williams for their help.

The State Department has not commented on his release >>>