An American who was detained by the Taliban for more than a year without charges has been released and is now on his way home, according to U.S. officials.
Dennis Coyle, 64, had spent nearly two decades working in Afghanistan before he was taken from his home in Kabul in January 2025 by Taliban intelligence forces. He was held in near-solitary confinement and never charged with a crime, officials said.
Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler said Coyle’s detention was unjust and that he had been used as leverage by the Taliban.
“The United States welcomes the release of American citizen Dennis Coyle, who was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for more than a year,” Boehler said in a statement to Fox News.
“President Trump made clear: the United States will not tolerate the unjust detention of its citizens — anywhere. His personal determination — executed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a fully aligned interagency team — has driven a shift to accountability, pressure and results.”
Coyle’s family said he had been legally working in Afghanistan as an academic researcher supporting language communities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also welcomed the release, calling it progress but emphasizing that other Americans remain detained.
“The Taliban must end their practice of hostage diplomacy,” Rubio said. “President Trump is committed to ending unjust detentions overseas – Dennis joins over 100 Americans who have been freed in the past 15 months under his second term in office.”
Rubio added: “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.”
Coyle’s release comes amid broader U.S. pressure on the Taliban. Earlier this month, Rubio designated Afghanistan a “state sponsor of wrongful detention,” accusing the group of unlawfully holding Americans and other foreign nationals.
Officials say several Americans are still believed to be detained in Afghanistan, including Mahmood Habibi and Paul Overby.
The Trump administration has made the return of detained Americans a central priority during the president’s second term. According to U.S. officials, 176 individuals — including more than 100 Americans — have been brought home from wrongful detention or captivity abroad.
That effort has included multiple high-profile cases. In Afghanistan, Americans such as George Glezmann, Ryan Corbett, and William McKenty were freed following negotiations involving U.S. envoys and regional intermediaries like Qatar.
Elsewhere, the administration secured the release of Americans held in Venezuela, Russia, and by Hamas in Gaza, including teacher Marc Fogel and American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel.
U.S. officials say many of these releases have relied on sustained diplomatic pressure and coordination with allies, particularly in the Middle East.
“In Israel, the president and his team’s dogged persistence resulted in the release of all hostages held by Hamas,” Boehler said.
“Behind these outcomes are professionals whose names will never be known—individuals who take real risks to bring Americans home. We will not accept hostage diplomacy. We will impose consequences. Americans remain detained abroad. We will not stop until every single American is home.”
Any more Taliban & others??