President Donald Trump has praised Iran after the release of an American woman who had been held in the country since late 2024, describing the decision as a “gesture of goodwill” while also criticizing former President Joe Biden over the circumstances surrounding her detention.
In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump said the woman had safely left Iran and was in good health, expressing appreciation for her release as she made her way back to the United States.
Detainee Identified as Dena Karari
The American citizen was identified as Dena Karari by her attorney, Jared Genser, who announced the development on social media.
According to Genser, Karari had been detained in Iran since December 2024 on what he described as fabricated charges.
He credited the Trump administration’s persistent efforts for securing her freedom, saying she was now safely traveling home after months of uncertainty.
The lawyer thanked the president, arguing that the outcome would not have been possible without sustained diplomatic engagement.
Trump Uses Announcement to Criticize Biden
While celebrating Karari’s release, Trump also used the moment to criticize his predecessor, referring to Biden with his familiar political nickname and emphasizing that the detention occurred during the previous administration.
The president framed the successful release as both a humanitarian achievement and a diplomatic breakthrough, while portraying it as evidence of his administration’s approach to dealing with Tehran.
Release Comes Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Karari’s freedom arrives at a time of heightened confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Just days earlier, Trump reinstated a naval blockade targeting Iran, restricting ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports following attacks on commercial shipping and Iran’s declaration that the Strait of Hormuz was closed.
The administration has also announced plans to impose a 20 percent tariff tied to American efforts to safeguard commercial vessels navigating the strategically important waterway.
Trump has further declared that the United States would now be known as the “Guardian of the Hormuz Strait,” although additional details about the proposal have yet to be fully explained.
White House Weighs Expanded Military Campaign
Reports indicate Trump convened senior national security officials in the White House Situation Room to discuss a significantly larger military offensive against Iran.
Among those said to have attended were Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine.
The discussions reportedly focused on expanding military operations against strategic Iranian targets while increasing pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, where fighting has continued for months.
US Says Goal Is to Protect Global Shipping
American officials have stated that the ongoing campaign is aimed at eliminating Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.
Recent strikes have concentrated on Iran’s air defense systems, radar installations, anti-ship missile sites and drone launch facilities in an effort to weaken the country’s military capabilities.
Iranian authorities also reported casualties following overnight attacks on a military base in Bampur.
Trump Signals More Strikes Ahead
In television interviews, Trump made clear that military operations would continue, warning that additional rounds of strikes were imminent.
He suggested future attacks could expand to include energy infrastructure and bridges if Iran refuses to negotiate a peace agreement that includes abandoning its nuclear ambitions.
Meanwhile, Iran has continued to retaliate with missile and drone attacks targeting American military installations in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, underscoring the growing risk of a wider regional conflict as both sides intensify their military actions.
