diplomacyThursday, July 16, 20264 sources

Trump Announces Iran's Release of U.S. Citizen Dena Karari, Detained Since December 2024

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Iran had released a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, Dena Karari, who had been detained since December 2024. The release was described as a 'gesture of goodwill' by Iran despite ongoing hostilities. Karari is reported to be safely outside of Iran and in good condition.

On July 16, 2026, Trump announced via social media that Iran had freed Dena Karari, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, who had been detained since December 2024. The release was framed as a 'gesture of goodwill' by Iran, though Trump did not specify the reason for her detention or the circumstances of her release. Karari is described as operating the non-profit Children of Mehr Foundation, which provided aid to impoverished children in Iran through private donations.

Timelines

Sources

IndependentThe HinduJul 16, 09:55 AM
Trump says Iran has freed a detained U.S. citizen

Dena Karari’s attorney said what drew Tehran authorities to Ms. Karari was her operation of the non-profit Children of Mehr Foundation, which helped impoverished children in Iran through private donations.

PublicFrance 24Jul 16, 06:20 AM
Trump says Iran released 'wrongfully detained' American citizen

US President Donald Trump said Iran had released an American citizen detained since December 2024 and allowed her to leave the country, calling it a "gesture of goodwill" despite renewed hostilities between Washington and Tehran.

IndependentThe GuardianJul 16, 04:20 AM
Trump says Iran has released US citizen detained since 2024

Dena Karari, dual US-Iranian citizen, ‘now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition’, president posts on Truth Social Donald Trump said Wednesday Iran had agreed to release an American citizen who was “wrongfully detained” since December 2024. “She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition,” Trump wrote on social media, without naming the woman. “The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!” Continue reading...

IndependentSouth China Morning PostJul 16, 04:00 AM
Trump says Iran has freed a detained US woman

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that arch foe Iran has freed an American citizen detained since December 2024 and allowed her to leave the country. “She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition,” Trump posted on social media, adding: “The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!” Trump – who in recent days has ordered a resumption of strikes against Iran and reimposed a naval blockade of its ports – did not name the woman or describe why she had...