Iran Releases American Woman Detained Since 2024, Donald Trump Says
Iran has released an American woman who had been detained since December 2024, in a move that US President Donald Trump described as a “gesture of goodwill” amid renewed military tensions between Washington and Tehran. The woman has safely left Iran and is reported to be in good health, according to statements from the White House and her legal team.
The woman has been identified as Dena Karari, a dual US-Iranian citizen who had been prevented from leaving Iran after visiting family in late 2024. She was later accused by Iranian authorities of espionage and collaboration with hostile powers—allegations her family and lawyer consistently denied.
Announcing the development on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States appreciated Iran’s decision to release the American citizen, calling it a “gesture of goodwill.” He added that Karari was now safely outside Iran and praised those involved in securing her release.
Karari’s lawyer, Jared Genser, confirmed that she had departed Iran and was on her way back to the United States. He thanked the Trump administration and officials who worked behind the scenes to secure her freedom, describing the release as the end of a lengthy and difficult ordeal for her family.
The release comes at a particularly sensitive moment. The United States has resumed military strikes against Iranian targets and tightened pressure on Tehran through naval operations and sanctions, while both countries continue exchanging threats over security in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts believe the decision to free Karari could represent a limited diplomatic signal despite the ongoing military confrontation.
Iran has a long history of detaining dual nationals and foreign citizens on national security charges, a practice that Western governments have repeatedly criticised as “hostage diplomacy.” Several foreign nationals, including Americans, Europeans and dual citizens, remain imprisoned in Iran, making Karari’s release significant but not indicative of a broader resolution to such cases.
While the humanitarian development has been welcomed in Washington, it has not altered the broader geopolitical picture. The United States continues its military campaign and diplomatic pressure on Iran, while Tehran insists that any lasting improvement in relations will require an end to US military operations and sanctions. For now, Karari’s release stands out as one of the few positive developments amid an increasingly volatile US-Iran confrontation.
