A U.S.-Iranian dual citizen, Dena Karari, who had been barred from leaving Iran since December 2024 on allegations of espionage and collaborating with a hostile state, has departed the country and is traveling back to the United States, CBS News reported on Wednesday, July 16, 2026.

Karari was subjected to an exit ban by Iranian authorities, preventing her departure without imprisonment. Although the ban expired in April 2026, she was not allowed to leave at that time. She suffered a heart attack on July 8, according to two sources cited by CBS News.

Her attorney, Jared Genser, described the charges as "bogus" and announced late Wednesday that Karari is now free and safe. Two sources indicated that Karari's name was on a list of Americans provided by the U.S. State Department to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is involved in U.S.-Iran diplomacy efforts to secure the release of detained Americans.

The State Department can designate U.S. nationals as "wrongfully detained" based on evidence of innocence or if they are held to extract concessions from the U.S. government. However, the release of detained Americans was not included in the memorandum of understanding signed by the U.S. and Iran last month, which extended the ceasefire between the two countries for 60 days.

Iran stated that Karari is now safely outside of Iran and in good condition, and the United States expressed appreciation for this gesture of goodwill by Iran.

Sources