US designates Iran as state sponsor of wrongful detention
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday designated Iran a state sponsor of wrongful detention, citing its pattern of hostage-taking and arbitrary detention of Americans.
“The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran, steps that could end this designation and associated actions,” Rubio said in a statement.
“If Iran does not stop, we will be forced to consider additional measures, including a potential geographic travel restriction on the use of US passports to, through, or from Iran,” he added. "No American should travel to Iran for any reason. We reiterate our call for Americans who are currently in Iran to leave immediately."
