The United States secured the release of Dennis Coyle, an American citizen held in Afghanistan since authorities detained him while he was at his Kabul home in January 2025, and held him without charges in near-solitary confinement, according to the US Department of State.
"We thank the United Arab Emirates for its support in securing Dennis’ release. We also appreciate Qatar’s continued support and advocacy for Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
"While this is a positive step by the Taliban, more work needs to be done. We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans."
The Afghan Foreign Ministry stated that the Supreme Court of the nation "deemed the period of his detention sufficient and decided to release him."
The statement also mentioned that Coyle’s liberation was undertaken to "strengthen trust between countries.”
The ministry also said that it hoped both the US and Afghanistan would "resolve their remaining issues through understanding and constructive dialogue."
Rubio warned that the Taliban "must end their practice of hostage diplomacy."
The Trump administration also distinguished the persistence of Coyle’s three sisters, whose advocacy helped drive the effort to bring him home.
US brings 176 detainees home, 100 of them American
The United States has now brought home 176 detainees worldwide, including more than 100 Americans, with this being a direct result of sustained pressure and real accountability, the DOS explained.
According to their report, this approach of pressure, consequences, and accountability has delivered results across multiple theaters like Venezuela, Iraq, and Israel, where all hostages held by Hamas have now been released following sustained U.S. engagement.
In Venezuela, more than 30 Americans were freed across multiple actions, with no American citizens now under detention by the regime. In Iraq, Israeli-American citizen Elizabeth Tsurkov was released after 903 days in captivity, with pressure forcing the outcome and no concessions given to the kidnappers.
US Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler said, “President Trump made this clear: if you detain an American, there will be consequences. Secretary Rubio enforced that standard, including designating Afghanistan, and the results are clear.”
“Over 100 Americans were brought home, all Americans out of Venezuela, every hostage out of Israel, and releases in Iraq. This is a direct result of sustained pressure and real accountability. We will keep increasing both until every American detained abroad is home,” he added.
Amichai Stein contributed to this report.