Trump Says Iran Releases US Citizen Detained Since 2024 In ‘Gesture Of Goodwill’

Last Updated:July 16, 2026, 05:27 IST

Trump said Iran had allowed the woman to leave the country and that she was now safely outside Iran and in good condition.

US President Donald Trump speaks at an event. (Source: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Iran has released an American citizen who had been detained since December 2024, calling the move a “gesture of goodwill” from Tehran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran had allowed the woman to leave the country and that she was now safely outside Iran and in good condition.

“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.

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

Iran has not yet commented on Trump’s statement, and details about the woman’s identity have not been released. There was also no immediate official comment from the US government beyond Trump’s post.

However, the New York Times said last August that an Iranian-American dual national working for a US technology company and running a charity supporting children in Iran had been detained in December 2024.

The woman was later released from prison, but Iranian authorities reportedly confiscated her passports and prevented her from leaving the country. She was also later charged with espionage, according to the report.

It remains unclear whether the person mentioned by Trump is the same individual.

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