Trump Calls Iran's Release of US Woman a Goodwill Gesture

US President Donald Trump described Iran's decision to allow a US citizen to leave the country as a "gesture of goodwill", even as fighting in the Middle East continued for a fifth day.

Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social that the American woman, whom he said had been "wrongfully detained" since 2024, was able to leave Iran. He added that she is safe, outside the country, and in good health.

Lawyer and human rights advocate Jared Genser identified the woman as Dena Karari. On the social media platform X, he said she is safe and returning to the United States, and thanked Trump for his efforts in securing her release. Iran has not yet commented on her departure.

Her departure comes as the US military continues to launch attacks on Iran with the aim of restoring shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Trump has also threatened further attacks on Iranian power plants, bridges and energy infrastructure.

According to The New York Times, Karari, 53, is a resident of California. Her passport was confiscated in December 2024 while she was visiting relatives in the city of Shiraz. Her lawyer says she was not detained, though Iranian authorities repeatedly interrogated her.

(Reuters, bak)