SCM Staff Writer I Sept 28, 2025
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Sunday that U.S. citizen Amir Amiry, who had been wrongfully detained in Afghanistan, has been released and is on his way home, marking a significant, though partial, diplomatic success in Washington’s ongoing efforts to secure the return of Americans held abroad.
The U.S. government, which does not formally recognize the Taliban administration in Kabul, credited President Trump’s personal commitment and the “tireless diplomatic efforts” of Qatar for securing Mr. Amiry’s freedom.
“Today, thanks to President Trump’s leadership and commitment to the American people, the United States welcomes home U.S. citizen Amir Amiry who was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan,” the White House statement read, adding its “sincere gratitude to Qatar, whose strong partnership and tireless diplomatic efforts were vital to securing his release.”
Mr. Amiry had been detained by the Taliban since December 2024.
The circumstances surrounding his detention and his reason for being in Afghanistan remain unclear, though the U.S. government has classified his captivity as a “wrongful detention.”
The release is being cast by the administration as an early vindication of President Trump’s recent focus on combating the detention of U.S. nationals by foreign governments.
The White House stated that the homecoming “reflects this Administration’s determination, reinforced by the President’s recent Executive Order, to protect U.S. nationals from wrongful detention abroad.”
That executive order, signed earlier this month, is designed to strengthen tools to deter and respond to the wrongful detention of Americans by foreign powers, including authorizing the Secretary of State to designate foreign countries or entities as “State Sponsors of Wrongful Detention,” a measure that can trigger sanctions and other severe penalties.
The release of Mr. Amiry, who is 36, follows a period of delicate negotiations, which reportedly included a U.S. delegation led by the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs visiting Kabul.
This is the third such visit since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, underscoring the vital, if often strained, channel of communication the U.S. maintains with the Afghan authorities.
However, the celebratory announcement was tempered by the acknowledgment that the work is not complete.
“While this marks an important step forward, additional Americans remain unjustly detained in Afghanistan,” the statement continued.
“President Trump will not rest until all our captive citizens are back home. This release today is a significant step by the administration in Kabul to effect that goal.”
Qatar, a Gulf nation that hosts a significant U.S. military presence and serves as a key diplomatic intermediary between Washington and the Taliban, has played a crucial role in previous releases and is central to the ongoing efforts for those still held.
The Taliban’s Foreign Minister reportedly stated that the release demonstrated that the “Government of Afghanistan does not view issues concerning foreign nationals from a political perspective and reiterated that diplomacy provides pathways for resolving such matters.”
As Mr. Amiry begins his journey home, his return will bring temporary relief to a community of families with loved ones unjustly detained, even as the focus shifts back to the remaining Americans whose fate hangs in the balance in Afghanistan.
