The Donald Trump administration on Monday officially labeled Afghanistan as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, a designation aimed at discouraging the Taliban from abducting Americans.
Afghanistan becomes the second country to receive this designation, announced on Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day.
The day before, Iran received a similar designation, coinciding with the start of US military operations against the country.
“The Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Monday.
“These despicable tactics need to end,” he added.
Rubio emphasized the dangers to Americans, saying, “It is not safe for Americans to travel to Afghanistan because the Taliban continues to unjustly detain our fellow Americans and other foreign nationals.”
He also called for the release of specific detainees, “The Taliban needs to release Dennis Coyle, Mahmoud Habibi, and all Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan now and commit to cease the practice of hostage diplomacy forever.”
Habibi was reportedly detained in August 2022, though the Taliban has never acknowledged holding him. The State Department is offering up to $5 million for information leading to his recovery.
Habibi’s brother, Ahmad Habibi, said he met with Sebastian Gorka and special envoy Adam Boehler on Monday, and “both gave me assurances that President Trump will not leave my brother behind.”
He added, “The Taliban need to admit what we already know, that they have my brother, so we can move forward in bringing him home to his wife and young daughter. The Taliban should not be defying President Trump as he seeks to bring home Americans to their family.”
Coyle was taken into custody in January 2025. His family stated he has not faced any charges and has been held in solitary confinement.
The new designation allows the US to consider travel restrictions for Afghanistan, similar to existing measures for North Korea, where Americans need a “special validation passport” to visit.
Several Americans detained in Afghanistan were freed last year, including George Glezmann, Ryan Corbett, William McKenty, and Amir Amiry.
