A U.S. citizen detained in Iran since December 2024 has been released. The announcement by President Donald Trump and the citizen’s lawyer brings relief. Trump’s message on Truth Social indicates Iran allowed an American citizen wrongfully held since the 2024 presidency. He expressed gratitude for Iran’s goodwill. However, he did not mention the person’s identity.

In recent times, Trump increased pressure on Iran and authorized new U.S. actions. The release is seen as a positive step. Jared Genser, the lawyer involved in freeing other detained U.S. citizens, identified the released citizen as Dena Karari. Karari had not been physically detained but faced restrictions preventing her departure from Iran.

Genser reported Karari faced extensive interrogations by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry. Her involvement with the Children of Mehr Foundation, which aided impoverished Iranian children, led to her being targeted. The foundation operated with donor support and an OFAC license, which Genser highlighted in his detailed news release.

He called for Iran to drop charges against locals assisting the foundation. Currently, five Americans remain detained in Iran, including Reza Valizadeh and Kamran Hekmati, both officially recognized as wrongfully detained by the U.S. State Department.