Dena Karari arrived in San Francisco draped in an American flag. (Photo: X)An Iranian-American woman who had been unable to leave Iran for more than a year and a half has returned to the United States after Iranian authorities allowed her to exit the country, prompting US President Donald Trump to describe the move as a "gesture of goodwill."Dena Karari arrived in San Francisco draped in an American flag, according to a photograph shared by her attorney, Jared Genser, on Saturday."Welcome home Dena Karari from Iran to the land of the free and the home of the brave—after 566 days wrongly detained by the Iranian regime," Genser wrote on X, thanking those involved in securing her return. He also urged continued efforts to secure the release of other Americans still held in Iran.Trump announces her departureTrump first revealed Karari's departure in a post on Truth Social, saying Iran had allowed an American citizen who was "wrongfully detained" since December 2024 to leave the country."She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition," Trump wrote, adding, "The United States of America appreciates this gesture of goodwill by Iran."The White House did not immediately provide further details on the circumstances surrounding her departure.Detained after passports seizedAccording to Genser, Karari had travelled to Iran to visit family but was prevented from leaving after authorities confiscated both her US and Iranian passports at the airport.A month later, Iranian security officials detained and interrogated her. She was questioned dozens of times and subjected to what her lawyer described as a "coercive exit ban."A source familiar with the case told CNN Karari had been detained, charged, released on bail and barred from leaving the country. Her attorney, however, maintained that she was accused but never formally charged.Karari, 53, worked for a US technology company and also operated the Children of Mehr Foundation, a nonprofit supporting underprivileged children in Iran. Genser said Iranian authorities targeted her over the organisation's activities despite it operating with the required US authorisations.Health concerns added urgencyGenser said Karari's deteriorating health made her release especially urgent. He told CNN that she suffered a massive heart attack last week, raising serious concerns about her condition.Calling her return a "minor miracle," he said it was remarkable that she managed to leave Iran amid heightened tensions and military conflict between the US and Iran.The lawyer credited the Trump administration for actively pushing her case during diplomatic contacts with Tehran."They were doing everything they can and pushing from every direction they could," Genser said.Other Americans remain in IranGenser said Karari's situation was different from that of other Americans still detained in Iran because her exit ban had expired and she was no longer in prison when she finally left.He urged Iran to drop all remaining charges against individuals associated with the Children of Mehr Foundation and called for the release of all Americans detained or prevented from leaving the country.According to US officials, at least six Americans are currently being held in Iran. Among those designated as wrongfully detained are Reza Valizadeh and Kamran Hekmati.Following Karari's return, advocacy groups expressed hope that her release could pave the way for the freedom of other Americans still in Iranian custody.