U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday (February 27, 2026) he has designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention.
“The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran, steps that could end this designation and associated actions,” Mr. Rubio said in a statement.
The move comes as tensions mount between the U.S. and Iran, even as the two countries conducted talks over Iran’s nuclear program on Thursday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday (February 27) he was disappointed with the negotiations, warning, “sometimes you have to use force.”
Published – February 28, 2026 03:12 am IST
