As the world marks the 43rd anniversary of the release of 52 diplomats held hostage by the Iranian regime, the U.S. State Department issued a stern condemnation, denouncing the regime’s cruel and ongoing utilization of hostage-taking as a political tool.
Shared on the ‘X’ messaging page on Saturday, January 20, the message from the U.S. State Department characterizes hostage-taking to advance political interests as a ‘horrible practice’ and unequivocally calls for an immediate cessation of this behavior.
Highlighting the infamous hostage-taking incident of 52 American diplomats, lasting 444 days, the statement identifies it as ‘the first of many cases of hostage-taking to advance political interests by the Islamic Republic of Iran.’ The U.S. State Department asserts that such actions are indicative of a troubling pattern within the Iranian regime.
The message goes on to underscore the continuation of hostage-taking involving ‘many citizens of foreign countries’ by the Iranian regime, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts with allies and partners to bring an end to this reprehensible practice in Iran and worldwide.
The regime’s modus operandi involves making baseless accusations, leading to the arrest of foreign citizens, particularly dual citizens, whom they then employ as political bargaining tools. The Iranian regime has consistently utilized these individuals as hostages, exploiting their plight for political gains.
A recent example highlights this disturbing trend, where, following the release of six billion dollars of Iran’s blocked funds in South Korea and its subsequent transfer to Qatar, the regime released five imprisoned Iranian-American dual citizens.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the regime’s willingness to engage in hostage-taking and manipulation on the international stage.
It should be noted that the U.S. State Department’s condemnation should not only bring attention to the historic hostage crisis but also serves as a call to action, urging itself and the international community to address the ongoing threats posed by Iran’s malign activities.
This statement furthermore sheds light on the concerning trend of appeasement by Western countries, inadvertently emboldening the Iranian regime to persist in its dangerous policies of terrorism and hostage-taking.
There is a need for a decisive and unwavering global response to counteract the regime’s actions and protect the principles of international security and diplomacy.
