The United States president, Donald Trump, announced on Wednesday afternoon (Washington time) that an American citizen who had been imprisoned in Iran since December 2024 had been released, despite the resumption of hostilities between the two countries, long-standing adversaries.
Trump did not disclose the woman's identity. "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. The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!" the US president wrote on Truth Social.
The Republican president, who in recent days ordered the resumption of bombing operations against Iran and the reimposition of a blockade on Iranian ports in the Gulf, declined to reveal further details about the woman or explain why she had been imprisoned.
Iran has detained a number of citizens of Western countries, who are typically accused of espionage. Western governments have repeatedly accused Tehran of using such detainees as bargaining chips in interstate negotiations.
In May, an Iranian national holding US permanent resident status was released after serving a ten-year prison sentence in Iran, Washington had announced at the time.
