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US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Iran has freed an American citizen detained since December 2024, saying the woman is now safely outside the country. However, within hours, Iran's judiciary issued a denial, stating that no American prisoner had been released or exchanged from its prisons, according to Iranian state media.

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Trump's announcement came via a post on his Truth Social platform, in which he wrote: "She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition," adding, "The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!" He did not name the woman or provide details about the charges against her, beyond describing her as "wrongfully detained."

Shortly after Trump's post, international human rights lawyer Jared Genser identified his client as Dena Karari, a US-Iranian citizen. Genser said in a statement that Karari was "trapped in Iran on bogus charges of collaboration with a hostile state and espionage" and is now "safely out of Iran and on her way back to the United States." He added that Karari had been banned from leaving Iran after visiting her family in 2024 and that she had been interrogated dozens of times by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security. Although never physically detained, she suffered "enormous physical and psychological hardship," he said.

Genser attributed Karari's release to Trump's efforts, stating it "would not have happened but for the extraordinary and relentless efforts" of the president. Trump himself framed the release as a "gesture of goodwill" by Iran.

The reports also noted that Karari operated the non-profit Children of Mehr Foundation, which helped impoverished children in Iran through private donations. According to a report by The New York Times, cited by several outlets, Karari worked for an American technological company and ran a charity for underprivileged children in Iran before her arrest.

However, the accounts diverge on the circumstances of her detention. Some reports say she was held on charges of espionage after the US joined Israel in bombing Iran in 2025, while others mention she was initially imprisoned in December 2024 and later released from custody but prevented from leaving the country.

On Thursday, Iran's judiciary was quoted by Iranian state media as saying that checks showed no convicted American prisoner, person accused of spying for the United States matching Trump's description, or any other American detainee had been released from Iranian prisons or exchanged. This statement directly contradicts Trump's announcement.

At a press briefing on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about the status of American citizens detained in Iran and whether the release might impact US-Iran peace negotiations. She stated that "ensuring the return of Americans wrongfully detained or held hostage all over this world remains a priority" for Trump.

Key Claims

  • Trump's announcement: US President Donald Trump said Iran has freed an American citizen detained since December 2024, and that the woman is safely outside Iran. (Reported by France 24, The Guardian, ABC Australia, South China Morning Post, The Hindu)
  • Identity of the released woman: The woman is Dena Karari, a US-Iranian citizen, according to her lawyer Jared Genser. (Reported by France 24, The Guardian, ABC Australia, The Hindu)
  • Charges against Karari: Karari was held on charges of collaboration with a hostile state and espionage, which her lawyer described as "bogus." (Reported by France 24, ABC Australia, The Hindu)
  • Karari's work: She operated the non-profit Children of Mehr Foundation, which assisted impoverished children in Iran. (Reported by France 24, ABC Australia, The Hindu)
  • Iran's denial: Iran's judiciary said no American prisoner had been released or exchanged, contradicting Trump's claim. (Reported by Jerusalem Post)
  • Other Western nationals detained: Iran holds several Western nationals and is accused of using them as bargaining chips in negotiations. (Reported by France 24, ABC Australia, South China Morning Post)

Perspectives

US Government: President Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt maintain that an American citizen has been released and that the return of wrongfully detained Americans remains a priority.

Iranian Judiciary: Iran's judiciary denies any release or exchange of American prisoners, saying checks found no such action.

Lawyer Jared Genser: As Karari's attorney, Genser confirms her release and credits Trump's efforts, while also calling for the release of all remaining wrongfully imprisoned Americans and Iranian political prisoners.