The US Secretary of State: The US has designated Iran as a "country supporting illegal detention"
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US has designated Iran as a "country supporting illegal detention" due to its alleged illegal arrest of American citizens.
The US Department of State announced that entities on the relevant list "may face severe penalties, including economic sanctions and visa restrictions."
Rubio said in a statement: "Today, I declare Iran as a country supporting illegal detention... For decades, Iran has continued to cruelly detain innocent American citizens and citizens of other countries, using them as political leverage to pressure other countries. This despicable practice must stop."
He emphasized that otherwise, the US will "be forced to consider taking additional measures," including restricting the use of US passports to travel to Iran, transit through Iran, or leave Iran.
This decision was made against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran regarding Iran's nuclear program.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858330587527436/
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