Overview
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the move Monday, making Afghanistan the second country listed after Iran’s Feb. 27 designation.
- The label, created by a September executive order, allows sanctions, export controls and other restrictions targeting those responsible.
- Washington publicly named Dennis Coyle and Mahmood Habibi as cases and urged their release; the State Department posted a reward of up to $5 million for information on Habibi.
- U.S. officials warned it is unsafe for Americans to travel to Afghanistan and said passport use for travel there could be restricted if detentions persist.
- The Taliban called the step “regrettable,” denied detaining foreigners for leverage, and faced U.S. criticism at the U.N., where Ambassador Mike Waltz urged a reassessment of aid.