Iran Releases American Woman Detained Since 2024, According to Trump

President Donald Trump announced on July 15, 2026, that Iran has released an American woman, Dena Karari, who was detained for approximately 18 months. Her attorney, Jared Genser, confirmed her release, stating that she was accused of espionage related to her work with a U.S. nonprofit organization. Trump noted that Karari was detained in December 2024 and described her release as a 'gesture of goodwill' from Iran. Genser indicated that Karari was never formally imprisoned but faced a coercive exit ban, which involved multiple interrogations by Iranian authorities. Following her release, she is reported to be in good condition and on her way back to the United States. This marks the first release of an American from Iranian custody since 2023. Genser called for Iran to drop all charges against individuals associated with the Children of Mehr Foundation and urged the release of all wrongly imprisoned Americans. The U.S. State Department has previously stated that Iran has a history of detaining foreign citizens for political leverage.