Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Department of State announced on Mar. 9, 2026, the designation of the Central Asian country of Afghanistan as a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention.”
“The Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions,” Secretary Rubio said in a press release published on the State Department’s website. “These despicable tactics need to end.”
Secretary Rubio emphasized the danger of traveling to Afghanistan and urged the Taliban to release foreign nationals and Americans it currently has in custody.
“It is not safe for Americans to travel to Afghanistan because the Taliban continues to unjustly detain our fellow Americans and other foreign nationals. The Taliban needs to release Dennis Coyle, Mahmoud Habibi, and all Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan now and commit to cease the practice of hostage diplomacy forever,” Secretary Rubio affirmed.
Concurrently, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott and the State Department announced that Secretary Rubio spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, respectively.
“The Secretary strongly condemned terrorist attacks by Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups in Iraq, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region,” the statement revealed about Secretary Rubio’s conversation with the Iraqi Prime Minister.
The statement concluded by sharing that Secretary Rubio and Prime Minister Shiaa al-Sudani recognized the urgency and significance of the Iraqi government's role in protecting U.S. diplomatic personnel and facilities.
“The Secretary outlined U.S. objectives in the region, emphasizing the importance of protecting U.S. personnel and partners and of continued coordination with allies,” the Office of the Spokesperson shared about Secretary Rubio’s conversation with German Foreign Minister Wadephul.
Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Wadephul also discussed the current conflict between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic of Iran, condemning the recent attacks in the region and addressing the "threats posed by the Iranian regime."
