Trump says Iran released American citizen held since 2024

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday evening that Iran has freed a U.S. citizen as a gesture of goodwill after recently increased tensions between Washington and Tehran, The Hill reported.

“Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the ‘presidency’ of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country. She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. 

“The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!” he added.

The American citizen was later identified as Dena Karari by her lawyer Jared Genser on the social media platform X. He said his client has been trapped in Iran since December 2024 “on bogus charges” and that “this would not have happened but for the extraordinary and relentless efforts” of President Trump.

“Dena is now safe and traveling back to the United States,” Genser concluded.