U.S. President Donald Trump has thanked Iran for allowing an American citizen to leave the country, describing the move as a “gesture of goodwill” despite heightened military tensions between Washington and Tehran.
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said the American national, who had been prevented from leaving Iran since December 2024 during the previous U.S. administration, had safely departed the country.
“He is now safely outside Iran and is in good health,” Trump wrote. “The United States appreciates this goodwill gesture by Iran.”
Human rights attorney Jared Genser identified the individual as Dena Karari, who had reportedly been unable to leave Iran since late 2024.
The announcement comes as relations between the United States and Iran remain strained, with both countries engaged in escalating rhetoric and military tensions centered on the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis have also slowed in recent weeks.
According to CNN, the White House and the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs did not provide additional details regarding Karari’s release beyond Trump’s statement.
Genser said Karari is currently traveling back to the United States and credited the Trump administration for its efforts to secure the travel authorization.
“They pursued every possible avenue to help bring him home,” Genser said.
According to his attorney, Karari’s case had not previously been made public. He had traveled to Iran to visit relatives, but authorities allegedly confiscated both his U.S. and Iranian passports at the airport before preventing him from leaving the country.
Genser said Karari was repeatedly questioned by Iranian authorities and was effectively placed under a travel ban for several months.
He added that Karari had been associated with the Children of Mehr Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports disadvantaged children in Iran through private donations and activities authorized by relevant U.S. authorities. His legal team believes that affiliation may have drawn the attention of Iranian officials.
According to Genser, Iranian authorities lifted the travel restrictions in April and returned Karari’s passports. His departure was later raised during broader diplomatic discussions involving the two countries, and he ultimately crossed the border and left Iran safely on Wednesday.
Neither Iranian officials nor U.S. authorities have publicly disclosed further details surrounding the circumstances of Karari’s departure.
