According to Iranian state media reports cited by the Jerusalem Post, Iran’s judiciary refuted former U.S. President Trump’s claims on July 16 that American prisoners had been released from its jails.
The Iranian judiciary stated that after verification, no convicted American prisoners, individuals accused of spying for the U.S. matching Trump’s description, or any other detained American citizens have been released or exchanged from Iranian prisons.
Trump had earlier posted on social media that Iran had allowed an American citizen to leave the country. This individual was allegedly “wrongfully detained” in December 2024 during the Biden administration.
Trump said, “She has now safely left Iran and is in good condition. The U.S. thanks Iran for this goodwill gesture.”
During a press conference on July 16, when asked about the status of American citizens detained in Iran and whether this could affect U.S.-Iran peace negotiations, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that “ensuring the return of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or held as hostages around the world” remains a top priority for Trump.