United States President Donald Trump has welcomed the release of an American citizen held in Iran, describing the move as a “gesture of goodwill”, even as fighting between the two countries entered its fifth consecutive day.
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said the American, whom he described as having been wrongfully detained during the Biden administration in 2024, had been allowed to leave Iran safely.
“She is now safely outside of Iran and in good condition. The United States appreciates this gesture of goodwill by Iran,” Trump wrote.
Human rights lawyer Jared Genser later identified the released American as Dena Karari, confirming she was travelling back to the United States.
“Dena is now safe and on her way home,” Genser wrote on X, thanking Trump for helping secure her release.
Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed or denied Karari’s release.
The development comes despite intensifying hostilities between Washington and Tehran. U.S. forces have continued airstrikes across Iran aimed at reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, while Trump has threatened further attacks on Iran’s power plants, bridges and energy infrastructure if Tehran refuses to resume negotiations.
According to three U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters, the latest military operations are also targeting key Iranian military assets that Washington considers critical ahead of any broader campaign.
Iran has responded by claiming responsibility for strikes targeting U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Jordan.
According to The New York Times, Karari, 53, is a California resident whose passport was confiscated while she was visiting relatives in Shiraz, southern Iran, in December 2024.
Although she was not formally imprisoned, her lawyer said she was repeatedly interrogated by Iranian authorities during her stay.
