Washington has designated the Islamic Republic a state sponsor of “wrongful detention”
The United States has urged all Americans to leave Iran “immediately,” escalating rhetoric against Tehran amid demands for concessions on its uranium enrichment and ballistic missile programs and a major military buildup in the Middle East.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that Iran had been formally designated a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention,” accusing the Islamic Republic of holding foreign nationals for political leverage.
“No American should travel to Iran for any reason. We reiterate our call for Americans who are currently in Iran to leave immediately,” Rubio said. He warned that further measures could follow, including potential restrictions on the use of US passports for travel to or through Iran.
While US officials portray the move as a response to longstanding grievances dating back to the 1979 hostage crisis, critics note that the announcement coincides with mounting pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program and the possibility of military action if talks collapse.
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