Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention, calling for Americans in Iran to "leave immediately," according to a Fox news report.
"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 news statement.
"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 Trump issued 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.
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. passports to, through, or from Iran.
US Military forces have deployed in the Middle East as of last weekend as President Trump stated he wants peace through strength and if necessary, would launch an air strike to get Iranian leaders to come to the table.