Rubio designates Iran over wrongful detentions, urges Americans to leave country ‘immediately’

Secretary of StateMarco Rubioon Friday designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention, calling for Americans currently in Iran to “leave immediately.”

“When the Iranian regime seized power 47 years ago, Ayatollah Khomeini consolidated his control of power by endorsing the hostage taking of U.S.embassy staff,” Rubio wrote in a newsstatement.“For decades, Iran has continued to cruelly detain innocent Americans, as well as citizens of other nations, to use as political leverage against other states.This abhorrent practice must end.”

“President [Donald] Trumpissued an Executive Order to Protect U.S.Nationals from Wrongful Detention Abroad last fall and Congress subsequently enacted the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025, authorizing the Department to designate Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention,” he added.

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Rubio said if Iran does not stop, the U.S.will be forced to consider “additional measures,” including a potential geographic travel restriction on the use of U.S.passportsto, through, or from Iran.

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U.S.Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Friday, asked for Americans currently in Iran “to leave immediately.”(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran, steps that could end this designation and associated actions.We encourage it to do so,” Rubio wrote.“No American should travel to Iran for any reason.We reiterate our call for Americans who are currently in Iran to leave immediately.”

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Rubio’s comments came amid rising tensions between the U.S.and Iran as they take part in indirect nuclear negotiations. 

Trump last weekgave Iranroughly 10 to 15 days to reach an agreement, warning during his State of the Union address that the urgency to make a deal was backed by force.

TRUMP SAYS IRAN ‘SERIOUSLY TALKING TO US’ AS MILITARY SHIPS HEAD TO MIDDLE EAST

A police officer stands guard as demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a gathering to honor Iran’s military forces, following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, on June 24, 2025 in Tehran, Iran.(Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Trump told reporters on Friday that he is “not happy” with the way Iran is negotiating, but said he has not yet made a final decision onpotential military strikes.

ElevenU.S.Air Force F-22 Raptorstealth fighters recently arrived at Israel’s Ovda Air Base in the country�

When asked how close a decision may be, Trump told a reporter, “I’d rather not tell you, you would have the greatest scoop in history, right?”

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The president noted that there is “always a risk” of long-term conflict in theMiddle East.

“I guess you could say there’s always a risk,” Trump said.“You know, when there’s war, there’s a risk in anything both good and bad.”

This is a developing story.Please check back for updates.

�s Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

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She has covered major national crises, including the L.A.wildfires, Potomac and Hudson River aviation disasters, Boulder terror attack, and Texas Hill Country floods.