""Like the State Sponsor of Terrorism determination, no nation should want to end up on this list," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement."
""Today, everything changes with regards to rogue regimes and regimes who think Americans can be treated as pawns," the second official told reporters."
""We are drawing a very clear delineation today, a line in the sand. You will not use Americans as bargaining chips," said the official, speaking on condition pf anonymity."
An executive order allows designation of countries that wrongfully detain US citizens as state sponsors of terrorism, naming potential targets including Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, and China. The policy authorizes punitive measures such as sanctions, export controls, and travel bans on individuals and entities linked to wrongful detentions. Designated countries receive notice and a set period to remedy wrongful detentions before penalties begin, and sanctions can be lifted if corrective actions occur. The measure targets state-sponsored 'hostage diplomacy' and seeks to deter regimes from using Americans as bargaining chips. Seventy-two U.S. citizens have been returned under current efforts, including from Russia and Afghanistan.
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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