On February 27, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio officially designated Iran as a nation that supports unlawful detentions. This statement was made public via a post on social media and a release from the State Department.
Rubio emphasized that for decades, the Iranian regime has cruelly imprisoned innocent Americans and citizens from other nations, using them as political leverage. He called for Tehran to cease political detentions and release all unjustly held Americans.
The State Department reiterated its advisory for U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Iran and urged those currently in the country to leave as soon as possible.
Last fall, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at protecting U.S. citizens from illegal detentions abroad, which was later supported by Congress through the passage of the Countering Unlawful Detention Act.
This executive order allows the Secretary of State to take action against countries identified as sponsors of unlawful detentions, which may include sanctions, travel bans for their citizens to the U.S., and export controls.
Background on U.S.-Iran Tensions
Indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran last year failed to yield results, largely due to the U.S. demand for Iran to completely halt uranium enrichment on its territory. Iran has consistently denied any intentions of developing nuclear weapons.
Previously, CBS News reported that President Trump held a national security meeting regarding a potential military operation against Iran. Following this, Trump warned of severe consequences if Iran did not reach an agreement with the U.S. regarding its nuclear program and cease uranium enrichment.
On February 3, U.S. military forces shot down an Iranian drone that aggressively approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. On the same day, vessels from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to seize an American tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
On February 6, U.S. authorities urged citizens to leave Iran immediately due to the deteriorating security situation in the country. Tehran has warned the United Nations that it would attack American bases if the U.S. strikes Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned Iran for its role in unlawful detentions, urging an end to political imprisonments. The U.S. government continues to advise citizens against traveling to Iran amidst rising tensions.