Who is Dena Karari? Why was the Iranian-American tech professional detained by Iran

US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Iran had released an American citizen who had been detained in the country since December 2024, calling it a "gesture of goodwill" by Tehran.

"Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the 'presidency' of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Also read: Trump says Iran has freed a detained US citizen


"She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition. The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!"

Trump did not name the woman in his post. She was later identified as Dena Karari by her attorney, international human rights lawyer Jared Genser, who confirmed the development on X.

"I am delighted and excited to report that my client US citizen Dena Karari, who had been trapped in Iran since December 2024 on bogus charges is now free," Genser wrote, crediting what he called the "extraordinary and relentless efforts" of Trump. "Dena is now safe and traveling back to the United States."

Who is Dena Karari?

According to Genser, Karari is a US-Iranian dual national who has worked in the American technology sector and also ran a US-registered non-profit, the Children of Mehr Foundation, which supported impoverished children in Iran through private donor funding.

Why was Dena Karari detained by Iran?

Karari travelled to Shiraz, Iran, in December 2024 to visit family. She was subsequently barred from leaving the country under what Genser described as a "coercive exit ban," and Iranian authorities brought charges against her of collaboration with a hostile state and espionage, according to her attorney.

Genser said Karari was never physically imprisoned but was interrogated dozens of times by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security and "suffered enormous physical and psychological hardship" during the ordeal.

Genser told the New York Times that Karari had been repeatedly interrogated but not formally detained after visiting family in Shiraz. He said Iranian authorities had targeted her over her association with the Children of Mehr Foundation.

Why was she released?

As of last month, a US official said the government was tracking at least six American citizens detained in Iran, including two officially designated as "wrongfully detained."

Karari's release comes amid renewed military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

According to Fox News, her release marks the first time an American has been freed from Iranian custody since 2023. The announcement followed a fresh round of US military strikes on Iranian targets and Trump's reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Also read: US strikes Iran again as Tehran warns of 'existential war' with America

Genser, in his statement, also called on Iran to "release all wrongly imprisoned Americans and those subjected to coercive exit bans and all Iranian political prisoners."

Dena Karari’s career and professional background

Karari has worked in the American technology sector, though her employer has not been publicly disclosed. Alongside her professional role, she ran the Children of Mehr Foundation, a US-registered non-profit that supported impoverished children in Iran through privately funded donations.

Limited verified information is publicly available about Karari's personal life, including details of her family, spouse or children. Reports note only that she travelled to Shiraz, Iran, in December 2024 to visit family, a trip that led to the exit ban and subsequent charges against her.