President Donald Trump announced on July 16, 2026, that Iran has released an American woman, Dena Karari, who had been detained for approximately 18 months. Karari, an Iranian-American citizen, was accused of espionage related to her work with a U.S. nonprofit organization. Her attorney, Jared Genser, confirmed her release and stated that she was no longer in Iran and was in good condition.
Trump mentioned in a post on Truth Social that Karari was detained in December 2024 during the Biden administration. He described her release as a 'gesture of goodwill' from Iran. Genser indicated that Karari had been subjected to a coercive exit ban rather than formal imprisonment and had faced numerous interrogations by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.
Genser also called for Iran to drop all remaining charges against individuals associated with the Children of Mehr Foundation, the nonprofit linked to Karari, and urged the release of other Americans and Iranian political prisoners. Reports indicate that Iran may still be holding more than eight American citizens and residents.
The U.S. State Department has previously criticized Iran for detaining foreign nationals as hostages for political leverage. The release of Karari is notable as it marks the first instance of an American being freed from Iranian custody since 2023.