The United States has designated Afghanistan a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention”, accusing the Taliban of holding American citizens to gain political concessions and demanding the immediate release of detained Americans.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington had formally designated Afghanistan as a “state sponsor of wrongful detention”, accusing the de-facto Afghan authorities of using detained Americans as diplomatic leverage.
Rubio announced the decision on social media platform X, saying the move reflects concerns that Americans are being held to pressure Washington.
He wrote, “Today, I am designating Afghanistan as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. The Taliban continue to use terrorist tactics to seek policy concessions, but it won’t work under this administration.”
Rubio called on the Taliban to release Dennis Coyle, Mahmood Habibi, and other Americans detained in Afghanistan.
In a statement published on the U.S. Department of State website, Rubio said the practice of detaining foreigners for leverage must end.
He said, “The Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions. These despicable tactics need to end.”
Rubio added that Afghanistan is unsafe for Americans to travel to because of the risk of detention. He urged the Taliban to release all detained Americans “now and commit to cease the practice of hostage diplomacy forever.”
At the United Nations Security Council, U.S. representative Mike Waltz also criticised the Taliban authorities.
Waltz said Washington’s main concern in Afghanistan remains the safety of Americans.
He said, “The United States’ top priority in Afghanistan remains the protection of U.S. citizens and of the U.S. homeland, which includes mitigating terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan and securing the release of all those unjustly detained.”
The U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler warned that Washington will not tolerate countries detaining American citizens.
He wrote on X, “The United States will no longer tolerate any nation holding U.S. citizens. Afghanistan currently holds three innocent Americans. It is time to release them.”
Boehler added in a statement that the designation signals potential consequences.
He said, “We’ve told the Taliban that hostage diplomacy is unacceptable. We meant it. Today we are designating Afghanistan a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention, harsh consequences will follow.”
According to the U.S. government, there are currently two countries on the “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention” list: Iran, which was designated in February this year, and Afghanistan.
The Afghan foreign ministry in a statement said it “regrets” the United States’ decision to designate Afghanistan as a “state sponsor of wrongful detention,” stressing that “no foreign nationals have been detained for purposes of a deal.”
It added that some individuals were arrested for “violating established laws” and in many cases were released after legal procedures were completed.
The ministry also said that Kabul had taken “positive steps as a goodwill gesture” over the past year regarding several detained U.S. nationals, noting that talks with Washington, facilitated by Qatar, are ongoing and expressing hope the issue will be resolved through “constructive engagement.”.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 Apr...
The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly voted to block an effort to rein in Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations ag...
Georgia’s parliament has approved fast-tracked amendments to the Law on Grants, introducing new exemptions and ...
RRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Beijing is placing China’s diplomacy under closer scrutiny, as it balances its partn...
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of ...
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 April), warning European countries against plans to step up UAV supplies to Kyiv.
The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly voted to block an effort to rein in Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran.
Georgia’s parliament has approved fast-tracked amendments to the Law on Grants, introducing new exemptions and expanding the state’s role in defining and overseeing foreign funding.
RRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Beijing is placing China’s diplomacy under closer scrutiny, as it balances its partnership with Moscow against strained relations with the U.S.
Dubai’s most iconic hotel, the Burj Al Arab, is set to close for the first time since opening in 1999 as it begins an extensive 18-month refurbishment aimed at preserving its status as a global symbol of luxury.
Azerbaijan and Russia have announced a formal settlement over the 2024 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 near Aktau, confirming that all outstanding issues, including compensation, have been resolved.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that there was a "good chance" of a peace deal between Lebanon and Israel happening soon, after he announced a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries.
Türkiye is reeling after a second school shooting in as many days, after a 14-year-old student killed nine people - eight pupils and one teacher - and wounded 13 others at a middle school in the south-eastern province of Kahramanmaraş on Wednesday, officials said.
North Korea is making “very serious” advances in its nuclear weapons capabilities, with signs of a new uranium enrichment facility and increased activity at a key complex, the International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi has said.
Georgia’s parliament has approved fast-tracked amendments to the Law on Grants, introducing new exemptions and expanding the state’s role in defining and overseeing foreign funding.
Nine people, including eight children, were killed in a shooting at a middle school in Türkiye’s southeastern Kahramanmaraş province on Wednesday. Thirteen others were injured, sparking public outrage and raising concerns about a rare phenomenon in the country.
South Korea will import 18 million barrels of Kazakh oil via routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, as it seeks to shield its energy supply from mounting instability in the Middle East.
Kazakhstan has ratified an allied relations treaty with Tajikistan and a strategic partnership agreement with the United Kingdom, aiming to deepen regional cooperation and expand ties with a major foreign investor.
The United Nations says it reached millions of Afghans with healthcare, education and livelihoods support in 2025, despite declining global humanitarian aid and mounting pressures from displacement, climate shocks and operational constraints.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment