Trending Now - US Designates Afghanistan as State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention

WHO:

President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, Dennis Coyle, Mahmood Habibi, Ahmad Habibi, Sebastian Gorka, Adam Boehler, Eric Lebson

Taliban, U.S. government officials, families of detainees

WHAT:

The Trump administration designated Afghanistan as a state sponsor of wrongful detention on March 9th, 2026.

This is the second country designated as such, following Iran, which was designated on February 27th, 2026.

The designation allows for potential sanctions, travel restrictions, and export controls against Afghanistan.

The U.S. State Department is offering up to $5 million for information leading to the location, recovery, and safe return of Mahmood Habibi.

175 individuals, including 100 Americans, have been brought home from wrongful detention abroad since the start of Trump’s second term.

WHERE:

Afghanistan, United States, State Department in Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

The designation was made on March 9th, 2026.

Mahmood Habibi was detained in August 2022.

Dennis Coyle was detained in January 2025.

The designation of Iran occurred on February 27th, 2026.

WHY:

The designation aims to deter the Taliban from abducting Americans and to pressure them to stop using kidnapping for ransom or policy concessions.

Secretary Rubio stated, “These despicable tactics need to end,” emphasizing the need for the Taliban to release unjustly detained Americans.

HOW:

The designation allows the Trump administration to impose sanctions and travel restrictions as a response to the Taliban's actions.

The U.S. government is utilizing powers created by an executive order issued in September 2025.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 03:39 UTC)

On March 9, 2026, President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Afghanistan has been designated as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, making it the second country to receive this designation after Iran. This action allows for potential sanctions, travel restrictions, and export controls against Afghanistan, aiming to deter the Taliban from abducting Americans and to pressure them to stop using kidnapping for ransom. Additionally, the U.S. State Department is offering up to $5 million for information leading to the safe return of Mahmood Habibi, who was detained in August 2022, as part of ongoing efforts that have successfully brought home 175 individuals, including 100 Americans, since the start of Trump’s second term.