Iran designated as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, says Rubio

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.”