Iran has released Dena Karari, a dual US-Iranian citizen who had been held since December 2024, according to an announcement by US President Donald Trump. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump conveyed that Karari is “now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition,” labeling her release as a goodwill gesture from Iran.
Jared Genser, Karari’s lawyer, confirmed her release and noted that she is en route back to the United States. He attributed her freedom to the efforts made by the Trump administration, which played a key role in negotiating her release.
Karari’s journey to Iran in 2024 was initially to visit family, but she subsequently found herself unable to leave the country. The situation escalated after the US and Israel conducted strikes on Iran in 2025, leading to charges of espionage being filed against her by Iranian authorities.
The release of Karari occurs amid increasingly strained relations between Washington and Tehran, highlighting a moment of diplomatic negotiation despite the ongoing tensions.