Rubio warns US will no longer tolerate ‘hostage diplomacy’ and claims Iranian military is ‘being eviscerated’

Published March 9, 2026 12:21pm ET



Secretary of State Marco Rubio is warning hostile state actors, Iran in particular, that the United States will no longer engage in “hostage diplomacy.”

Rubio made the remarks ahead of a flag-raising ceremony at the State Department to mark U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day. The top diplomat asked for a moment of reflection, noting the recent return of six U.S. soldiers killed in the Iranian counterstrikes following Operation Epic Fury.

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