US designates Iran 'state sponsor of wrongful detention,' urges Americans to leave

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday that he has formally designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, accusing Tehran of using hostage-taking as a tool of political leverage for decades. The designation underscores escalating Washington pressure on Iran even as indirect nuclear talks in Geneva show signs of progress.

Historical Context

"When the Iranian regime seized power 47 years ago, Ayatollah Khomeini consolidated his control of power by endorsing the hostage taking of US Embassy staff," Rubio said in a statement. "For decades, Iran has continued to cruelly detain innocent Americans, as well as citizens of other nations, to use as political leverage against other states. This abhorrent practice must end." The designation references the 1979-1981 Iran hostage crisis, when 52 American diplomats and citizens were held for 444 days following the US Embassy takeover in Tehran.

Demands and Warnings

Rubio demanded that Iran "stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran," stating that such steps could end the designation and associated actions. He issued an urgent warning that no American should travel to Iran "for any reason," adding: "We reiterate our call for Americans who are currently in Iran to leave immediately." The warning comes as the State Department on Friday authorized non-emergency US government personnel and their family members to depart Israel due to "safety risks," signaling broader regional alert.

Diplomatic Tensions

The designation adds a new layer of pressure on Tehran even as Omani-mediated nuclear talks reportedly achieve "unprecedented progress." Iran has long denied accusations of wrongful detention, maintaining that individuals held are subject to legitimate legal proceedings. The move reflects Washington's dual-track approach of pursuing diplomacy while maintaining maximum pressure, with critics arguing such designations complicate negotiations while supporters insist they are necessary to address Iran's broader malign behavior beyond its nuclear program.