Secretary of State Rubio Vows No Tolerance for Nations Using Americans as Hostages

Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared the U.S. will hold nations accountable for using American detainees as political leverage during Monday's ceremony honoring wrongfully detained Americans. The event marked 19 years since former FBI agent Robert Levinson disappeared in Iran, with officials announcing 175 people including over 100 Americans have been freed in recent years.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a strong message Monday that America will not accept nations using detained Americans as political bargaining chips, speaking at a ceremony dedicated to those wrongfully held overseas.

During the annual ceremony at the State Department raising the flag for American hostages and wrongful detainees, Rubio emphasized Washington’s commitment to bringing citizens home while warning foreign governments they will face consequences for such practices.

The Monday event pays tribute to Americans detained in foreign countries and honors families fighting for their loved ones’ freedom. This year’s ceremony took place on March 9, marking the 19th anniversary of Robert Levinson’s vanishing in Iran.

“I wish it was on a happier occasion, although we do have things to celebrate in terms of Americans that have been returned,” Rubio stated. “But also we remember those who have not returned.”

Levinson, a former FBI agent who vanished in Iran during 2007, was honored specifically during the flag-raising ceremony. His sons Dan and Doug Levinson were present as the flag was raised in dedication to their family.

FBI Deputy Director Christopher Raia emphasized how personally meaningful Levinson’s case remains for the agency. Levinson dedicated almost 30 years to American law enforcement, spending 22 of those years as an FBI special agent.

“Our evidence suggests that Bob died in captivity in Iran, and he is the longest held American hostage in US history,” Raia explained, adding that the FBI actively pursues any leads connected to his vanishing.

“Today, unfortunately, marks 19 years since his abduction,” Raia continued. “The urgency to uncover the facts of Bob’s disappearance has never been greater.”

Adam Boehler, serving as the U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, reported that the current administration has ramped up operations to bring home Americans held in foreign countries. Boehler revealed that 175 detainees have gained freedom in recent years, with more than 100 being American citizens.

“We’ve brought 175 people home – over 100 Americans, others – allies in Israel, other places,” Boehler announced. “But we’re not going to stop. We’re not going to stop until all Americans are home.”

Boehler acknowledged President Donald Trump for prioritizing this issue as a key policy focus. He noted that Washington has started formally labeling nations that hold Americans for political advantage.

“Secretary Rubio… made it a clear priority,” Boehler explained. “In fact, he let Iran know that they are a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention.”

Rubio connected the wrongful detention issue to America’s wider policy approach toward Tehran during his remarks. He characterized Iran as the globe’s most consistent state supporter of hostage-taking activities.

“The United States is currently engaged in an operation targeting one – the world’s leading hostage-taker, the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism – the regime in Iran,” Rubio declared.

He outlined the current U.S. military efforts as focused on eliminating Iran’s capacity to endanger regional stability through missile systems, drone technology, and maritime operations.

“The goals of this mission are clear,” Rubio explained. “It is to destroy the ability of this regime to launch missiles, both by destroying their missiles and their launchers; destroy the factories that make these missiles; and destroy their navy.”

Rubio also commended the efforts of various U.S. agencies working on hostage recovery operations, including the FBI, State Department, and National Security Council.

“Our mission is forward-looking,” Rubio concluded. “We believe in homecomings, we work for homecomings, and under the President’s leadership, we will not stop until every single unjustly detained American is brought home.”