A US citizen held in Iran since 2024 has been released, according to President Trump and her lawyer.
Key facts
- •Dena Karari, a US citizen, was held in Iran since December 2024.
- •Karari was subject to a coercive exit ban and interrogated dozens of times by Iran's Intelligence Ministry.
- •She worked with the Children of Mehr Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helped impoverished children in Iran.
- •President Trump and Karari's lawyer, Jared Genser, announced her release on Wednesday evening.
- •As many as five other Americans are currently being held in Iran.
A US citizen, Dena Karari, who was held in Iran since December 2024, has been released. President Donald Trump and her lawyer, Jared Genser, announced the release on Wednesday evening. Karari is now safely outside of Iran and in good condition.
Release Details
Dena Karari was not physically detained but was subject to a coercive exit ban. She was interrogated dozens of times by Iran's Intelligence Ministry due to her work with the Children of Mehr Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helped impoverished children in Iran. The foundation had private donor support and authorization from the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Reaction and Next Steps
Jared Genser, Karari's lawyer, credited President Trump's efforts for her release. Genser also urged Iran to drop charges against Iranians who worked locally for the Children of Mehr Foundation. As many as five other Americans are currently being held in Iran, including Reza Valizadeh and Kamran Hekmati, who have been designated as wrongfully detained by the State Department.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NBC Politics.
