The U.S. on Friday designated Iran as a ‘state sponsor of wrongful detention’ and demanded that the country release any Americans in its custody, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
The designation came amid escalating tensions between the two countries and as President Donald Trump considered launching strikes against Iran, Rubio said.
Rubio cited Iran’s consolidation of power in a statement explaining the move, according to the State Department.
Rubio did not immediately provide additional details about the designation or identify any Americans believed to be held by Iranian authorities.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
