Turkey and the United States have lifted sanctions on senior government officials that had been imposed during a diplomatic standoff connected to the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson.

　　In this Oct. 12, 2018 file photo, Pastor Andrew Brunson, center left, and his wife Norine Brunson arrive at Adnan Menderes airport for a flight to Germany after his release following his trial in Izmir, Turkey. Under global scrutiny, Turkey vows to get to the bottom of the alleged killing of a Saudi journalist at the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul. But some observers see a double standard in promises of transparency from a government accused of stifling freedom of expression. [Photo: AP]

　　Washington imposed sanctions on Turkey's Justice Minister and Interior Minister in August over the arrest of Brunson.

　　Ankara retaliated by imposing similar sanctions on the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and Attorney General.

　　Brunson was convicted of providing aide to supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric who Ankara claims masterminded the 2016 coup attempt.

　　He was convicted last month on terrorism charges, but was released for time-served.

　　He is now back in the United States.