Former President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that Iran had agreed to release an American citizen who had been unjustly detained since December 2024. The individual, identified as Dena Karari, a dual U.S.-Iranian national, had been barred from leaving Iran following a family visit and was later charged with espionage after the U.S. conducted airstrikes on Iranian targets in 2025, aligning with Israeli military actions.
Trump confirmed via social media that Karari “is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition,” praising the release as a gesture of goodwill. Her attorney, Jared Genser, known for securing the freedom of over 340 political prisoners globally, emphasized that her release resulted from “extraordinary and relentless efforts” by the former president.
According to prior reporting, Karari, who worked for a U.S. technology firm and founded a charity supporting underprivileged children in Iran, was initially imprisoned in 2024 but later released from custody while still facing travel restrictions. The charges against her came amid heightened geopolitical tensions following the 2025 military campaign.
