President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform Wednesday to announce that an American woman who was “wrongfully detained” in Iran during 2024 has been allowed to leave the country.
“She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition. The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran,” Trump wrote in his post.
Human rights attorney Jared Genser identified the freed American as Dena Karari, a 53-year-old California resident. According to the New York Times, Karari had her passport taken away by Iranian authorities when she traveled to the southwestern city of Shiraz in December 2024 to visit family members. While she was never formally detained, she was questioned by authorities on multiple occasions, the newspaper reported, citing her attorney Genser.
Genser confirmed her freedom in a post on X, writing, “Dena is now safe and traveling back to the United States,” and thanking Trump for his efforts on her behalf.
Iran has not made any public statement acknowledging her release.
The news comes as fighting entered its fifth night across the Middle East. U.S. military strikes against Iran have been targeting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor, with the goal of reopening it. Three U.S. officials told Reuters that those strikes are also being used to weaken Iranian military capabilities ahead of potentially more complex operations.
Trump has issued escalating warnings that he could order attacks on Iranian power plants, bridges, and energy infrastructure. Iran, meanwhile, has claimed it struck U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Jordan in retaliation.
