President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday the release of Dena Karari, an American citizen who had been detained in Iran since December 2024. In a statement on social media, President Trump confirmed that Karari is in good condition and has safely departed Iran. He characterized the development as a gesture of goodwill and expressed appreciation to Iranian authorities for their cooperation in securing her release.

Karari’s attorney, Jared Genser, confirmed his client’s release, stating that she is currently traveling back to the United States. Genser praised the diplomatic efforts of the Trump administration, attributing the successful resolution of the case to the intensive and persistent negotiations led by the U.S. president.

The release aligns with broader diplomatic priorities outlined by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently emphasized the administration’s commitment to recovering wrongfully detained citizens globally. Rubio noted that the State Department utilizes dedicated channels, including the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, to address these sensitive cases through various international forums.

Notably, Karari’s release coincided with U.S. military action in the region, as U.S. Central Command reported conducting a series of airstrikes against Iranian military installations near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The military operations aimed to neutralize capabilities used to threaten commercial shipping, highlighting the complex security dynamics surrounding the diplomatic breakthrough.