Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs

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I am pleased to announce the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was recently kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, Iraq.   The U.S. Department of State extends its appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of War, U.S. personnel across multiple agencies, and the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council and our Iraqi partners, for their assistance in securing her release.   This resolution reflects the Trump Administration's steadfast commitment  to the safety and security of American citizens, no matter where they are in the world.   Under President Trump, the wrongful detention or kidnapping of U.S. nationals will not be tolerated. We will continue to use every tool to bring Americans home and to hold accountable those responsible.   We are relieved that this American is now free and are working to support her safe departure from Iraq.

Welcome home Dennis!

Dennis Coyle is on his way home! We remain committed to freeing all Americans wrongfully detained abroad. Today the Taliban took an important step in the right direction, now they must release all remaining Americans immediately, including Mahmood Habibi and Paul Overby.

While we celebrate Dennis’s return home, other American families are still waiting. The Taliban needs to immediately return Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans. state.gov/releases/offic…

Earlier this month, I met Molly, Amy, and Patti as they asked for help freeing their brother Dennis Coyle from detention in Afghanistan. Today, Dennis is on his way home. We thank the UAE and Qatar for their support. The release is a positive step towards ending the practice of hostage diplomacy.

The State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention designation targets hostage takers like Afghanistan. We joined @McCainInstitute at the U.S.-U.K. Transatlantic Conference on Hostage Taking and Arbitrary Detention to discuss deterrence & post recovery support. mccaininstitute.org/resources/even…

Every country in the world needs to know you cannot have a relationship with the United States if you are holding our citizens unjustly. - Special Envoy Boehler. In line with this principle, the Secretary of State designated Afghanistan a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention for its continued practice of hostage diplomacy this week. For more information, click the link below. state.gov/releases/offic…

We designated Afghanistan as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention, ensuring that the Taliban will face harsh consequences for taking U.S. nationals. Yesterday, @SecRubio spoke to how the U.S. will designate countries like Iran and Afghanistan.

Yesterday, @SecRubio announced Afghanistan's designation as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. The President is focused on ending the cycle of exploitation, ending the cycle in which Americans are viewed as a valuable commodity, that you can grab an American, you can unjustly hold them, and then try to trade them later on for some diplomatic concession or political concession.

SECRETARY RUBIO: Americans cannot be used as a commodity to grab onto and then trade in the future. That cycle has to stop, and that's why the State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention designation now exists.

Today, on U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, we honor those still waiting, those who have returned, and continue to remember those whose homecoming came in a tragic way.

We’ve told the Taliban that hostage diplomacy is unacceptable. We meant it. Today we are designating Afghanistan a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention, harsh consequences will follow. We are putting others who engage in this horrific practice on notice. state.gov/releases/offic…

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 detained in Afghanistan.

SECRETARY RUBIO: We will not stop until every single unjustly detained American is brought home.

SECRETARY RUBIO: The United States will not tolerate hostage diplomacy. We’re going to continue to hold the Iranian regime and all other regimes accountable for these practices.

SECRETARY RUBIO: U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day exists because families refuse to let their loved ones be forgotten. We celebrate those who returned, honor those who perished in captivity, and commit to returning those who are still in detention.

WATCH: Secretary Rubio delivers remarks at the U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag Raising Ceremony at the State Department. twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

As @SecRubio has said, anyone who uses an American as a bargaining chip will pay the price. If Iran does not end its cruel practice of unjustly detaining innocent Americans, the United States will take additional measures, including a geographic travel restriction on the use of U.S. passports to, through, or from Iran. Our Travel Advisory for Iran is at the highest level, Level 4: Do Not Travel. All Americans, including dual nationals, currently in Iran should leave immediately.

The Iranian regime must cease hostage diplomacy. Today we designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. Harsh penalties will follow, until Iran releases wrongfully detained Americans and changes its ways.