Trump says Iran frees US citizen detained since 2024

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (15/7) that Iran had allowed an American citizen, detained since December 2024, to leave the country. “He is now safely outside Iran and in good condition. The US appreciates this goodwill shown by Iran!” Trump said via the social media platform Truth Social. The US citizen, later identified as Dena Karari, had been stranded in Iran since December 2024 on baseless charges. He is now safe and en route back to the US, according to his lawyer, Jared Genser. Trump’s announcement came amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran in recent days. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said via social media platform X that the US launched a second wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday evening local time, targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten ships transiting freely through the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier on Wednesday, the command said it had launched precision munitions at coastal defence systems and cruise missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island. Iran’s Ministry of Health reported on Wednesday that the latest US strikes on several provinces in southern Iran had killed 35 people and wounded more than 300 others.