WASHINGTON: The United States government has officially designated Afghanistan as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention, accusing the Taliban authorities of using detention of foreign nationals as a tactic to extract political concessions.
The US officials said the decision indicates growing concern over what they described as the Taliban’s continued practice of unjustly detaining American citizens and other foreign nationals.
The move indicates a significant escalation in diplomatic pressure on the Afghan authorities.
The United States believes the Taliban are employing coercive methods by holding individuals without due legal process in order to influence policy decisions.
“Today, I am designating Afghanistan as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention,” the statement said. “The Taliban continue to use terrorist tactics to seek policy concessions, but it won’t work under this administration.”
Today, I am designating Afghanistan as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. The Taliban continue to use terrorist tactics to seek policy concessions, but it won’t work under this administration. The Taliban must release Dennis Coyle, Mahmood Habibi, and all Americans unjustly…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 9, 2026
The US government specifically called for the immediate release of several Americans currently believed to be held in Afghanistan, including Dennis Coyle and Mahmood Habibi.
Washington also demanded the release of all other American citizens who may be detained in Afghanistan under similar circumstances.
The administration reasserted that securing the safe return of U.S. nationals abroad remains a top priority.
The designation is expected to increase diplomatic and international scrutiny on the Taliban administration.
