Iran Allows U.S. Citizen Detained Since December 2024 to Leave Country

Iran allowed a U.S. citizen held since December 2024 to leave the country, President Trump said Wednesday evening. The woman is now safely outside Iran and in good condition. " The released citizen was identified as Dena Karari by her lawyer, human rights attorney Jared Genser.

Genser said Karari had been banned from leaving Iran after visiting family in Shiraz, was repeatedly interrogated, and was later charged with espionage. Iranian authorities confiscated her passports, according to the New York Times. Genser wrote on X that Karari is safe and traveling back to the United States.

"I am delighted and excited to report that my client U.S. citizen Dena Karari, who had been trapped in Iran since December 2024 on bogus charges is now free," he stated. " The Washington Post reported in April that around six Iranian Americans are believed to remain held in Iran.