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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States has officially designated Afghanistan as a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention.” The announcement came through a statement on social media, where Rubio accused the ruling Taliban of using unlawful detentions as a tactic to pressure Washington into making political concessions.
According to Rubio, the Taliban have continued to hold foreign nationals, including Americans, without legal justification. The U.S. government views such actions as coercive diplomacy aimed at gaining leverage in international negotiations.
Call for Release of Detained Americans
In his statement, Rubio specifically called for the immediate release of several individuals, including Dennis Coyle and Mahmood Habibi. Both men are reportedly among the Americans currently detained in Afghanistan. The U.S. administration insists that these individuals are being held unjustly and must be freed without delay.
Rubio emphasized that the United States will not yield to what he described as “terrorist tactics” used to secure policy concessions. He warned that such practices would only further isolate the Taliban government internationally.
Rising Tensions Between Washington and Kabul
The designation is expected to deepen tensions between United States and the Taliban-led authorities in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, relations between Washington and Kabul have remained strained, particularly over issues such as human rights, governance, and the detention of foreign nationals.
Analysts say the move could increase diplomatic pressure on the Taliban while signaling Washington’s firm stance against hostage diplomacy. However, it may also complicate already fragile efforts for engagement and humanitarian coordination in Afghanistan.
