'Gesture of goodwill': Trump hails Iran's release of detained American amid renewed US strikes

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, July 15, that Iran has released an American citizen who had been detained since December 2024, describing the move as a "gesture of goodwill" by Tehran.

The announcement came just hours after US forces carried out another round of military strikes against Iranian targets, underscoring that military operations continue even as Washington and Tehran remain locked in heightened tensions. The released American was later identified as Dena Karari by her attorney.

Trump says Iran freed Dena Karari as 'gesture of goodwill'

Trump revealed the development in a post on Truth Social, saying Iran had allowed the American to leave the country after months of detention.

"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. She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition," Trump wrote. 

"The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!" he added.

The woman was later identified as Dena Karari by international human rights attorney Jared Genser, who confirmed she had been detained in Iran on what he described as unfounded charges.

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

According to a source familiar with the case, Karari had been detained, charged, and later released on bail, but remained unable to leave Iran because of an exit ban. As recently as last month, US officials said they were tracking at least six Americans detained in Iran, including two designated as wrongfully detained.

US launches new strikes on Iranian military targets

The announcement came shortly after US Central Command confirmed another round of military operations targeting Iranian military infrastructure. CENTCOM said US forces began additional strikes against "Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting through the Strait of Hormuz."

US forces also carried out a 90-minute operation targeting Greater Tunb Island, an area regarded by analysts as part of Iran's defensive network around the Strait of Hormuz. The US military said it disabled an empty oil tanker heading toward Kharg Island after the vessel allegedly ignored repeated warnings during the newly reinstated US naval blockade.

"US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces observed Curacao-flagged M/T Belma transiting international waters toward Kharg Island. The commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the US blockade. A US aircraft disabled the vessel after firing hellfire missiles into the ship's smokestack. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran," CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X.

The latest military operations follow Trump's decision to reinstate the naval blockade and declare the Strait of Hormuz would remain open "with or without Iran."