US designates Iran state sponsor of wrongful detention: Rubio

WASHINGTON

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that he designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention.

"The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran, steps that could end this designation and associated actions," Rubio said in a statement.

He said when the Iranian regime seized power 47 years ago, Ayatollah Khomeini consolidated his control of power by endorsing the hostage taking of US Embassy staff.

"For decades, Iran has continued to cruelly detain innocent Americans, as well as citizens of other nations, to use as political leverage against other states. This abhorrent practice must end," he added.

Rubio warned that no American should travel to Iran "for any reason."

"We reiterate our call for Americans who are currently in Iran to leave immediately," he added.

Earlier Friday, the State Department authorized non-emergency US government personnel and family members of American government personnel to leave Israel due to "safety risks."