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Trump Announces Release of American Detainee
President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that a US citizen who was wrongfully detained in Iran since 2024 has been released, describing the move as a “gesture of goodwill” by Tehran even as military strikes between the two countries continued .
“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 on Truth Social .
Human rights attorney Jared Genser identified the American as Dena Karari, a 53-year-old California resident who had her passport seized while visiting relatives in the southwestern city of Shiraz in December 2024 . Genser confirmed: “Dena is now safe and traveling back to the United States” .
Release Amid Escalating Conflict
The release came despite ongoing US military strikes across Iran aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, and escalating threats from Trump that he would bomb Iran’s power plants, bridges, and energy infrastructure .
Three US officials told Reuters that strikes were targeting Iranian military capabilities the US would want to destroy before executing more complex operations . Iran has retaliated with what it said were strikes targeting US bases in Kuwait and Jordan .
Karari’s Detention and Legal Status
The New York Times reported that Karari, 53, was not formally detained but was interrogated on various occasions by authorities after her passport was seized in December 2024 . She was not charged with any crime during her time in Iran .
Broader Context
The release of Karari follows Trump’s earlier threat to strike Iran’s heavily fortified “Pickaxe Mountain” nuclear facility and his declaration of a full blockade on ships traveling to and from Iranian ports . The freed American’s return comes as the conflict in the region intensified, with US and Iranian strikes escalating .
