The Trump administration on Friday formally designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, marking a significant escalation in pressure against Tehran amidst mounting military tensions and faltering diplomatic efforts. This move, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, builds upon an executive order signed in September that broadened the government’s capacity to penalize countries accused of detaining Americans for political leverage.
“This abhorrent practice must end,” declared Mr. Rubio in a statement. “For decades, Iran has continued to cruelly detain innocent Americans, as well as citizens of other nations, solely for their political standing.”
Under this new order, the State Department acquires authority over punitive measures, including economic sanctions, export controls, and visa restrictions aimed at entities or individuals implicated in wrongful detention policies. These authorities are modeled partly on tools used to address terrorism-related designations but are legally distinct from them.
Since 1984, during the Reagan administration, Iran has been formally designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. The latest designation will not only impose financial penalties and travel restrictions but also align with existing travel restrictions previously imposed against North Korea by U.S. passport holders who use these documents to enter that country. Imposing travel restrictions in Iran could significantly impede the movement of Americans, akin to navigating its borders.
The formal designation comes as negotiations between Washington and Tehran over nuclear and security issues have stalled in Geneva. Talks have ended without addressing key concerns, including uranium enrichment limits and sanctions relief. On Monday, technical teams from both sides are expected to reconvene in Vienna, headquarters for the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Meanwhile, a flurry of high-profile detention cases has intensified scrutiny on Iran’s practices. Among them is the case of Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American journalist recently detained under circumstances raising broader concerns about politically motivated arrests targeting perceived critics within the regime. These include at least four other Iranian-Americans believed to be held in Iran, including Kamran Hekmati—a 70-year-old who has been imprisoned for over a decade—and another woman of similar age.
U.S. officials are also considering applying the label to Afghanistan, which is known to hold at least two American citizens. These cases have further drawn attention and underscored Tehran’s alleged patterns of detaining foreigners as leverage in international negotiations.
This formal designation brings renewed pressure on Iran from the Trump administration, aligning with other punitive measures announced for other countries accused of wrongful detention. The Iranian diaspora living in the United States, estimated at over 600,000 individuals, could be significantly affected by expanded travel restrictions to Iran. These measures come as negotiations remain elusive, leaving the door open for potential confrontations or sanctions.
As Deputy spokesperson Tommy Piggott announced the State Department’s authorization of non-emergency personnel and their family members to depart Israel on Friday, citing “safety risks,” Secretary Marco Rubio also prepared to travel to Israel from March 2-3 to discuss issues including Iran, Lebanon, and President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. These diplomatic moves further emphasize the administration’s resolve in applying pressure through multiple avenues.