The Trump administration has officially designated Afghanistan as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, accusing the Taliban of using hostage taking to pressure the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the move Monday, saying the designation aims to deter the Taliban from abducting Americans and other foreign nationals.
Rubio said the Taliban continues to use kidnappings to demand ransom or political concessions. He warned that Afghanistan remains unsafe for American travelers due to the risk of unjust detention.
Trump administration designates Afghanistan as state sponsor of wrongful detention https://t.co/6ildKS5xSF
— CTV News (@CTVNews) March 10, 2026
The administration also called for the immediate release of U.S. citizens Dennis Coyle and Mahmoud Habibi. Habibi has been missing since August 2022, and the U.S. government is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to his recovery. Coyle was detained in January 2025 and has reportedly been held without charges.
The designation allows Washington to consider travel restrictions and other measures against Afghanistan. Iran was recently given the same designation before U.S. military operations began there.
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TIPP Staff
