Taliban official dismisses Trump's hope to 'take back' Afghan airbase

September 19, 2025

The Taliban has rejected recent suggestions by President Donald Trump that the United States could retake Bagram airbase in Afghanistan. Trump expressed interest in reclaiming the base during a UK press conference, citing its strategic proximity to China's nuclear facilities, though BBC investigations found this claim to be geographically inaccurate. Taliban foreign ministry official Zakir Jalal emphasized that any U.S. military presence was rejected during previous negotiations, while also noting openness to other forms of engagement.

Who is affected

The Taliban government in Afghanistan
The United States government and military
Afghan citizens living under Taliban rule
China, which was implicated in Trump's claims
Americans currently held in Afghanistan

What action is being taken

The Taliban is actively rejecting U.S. suggestions about retaking Bagram airbase
The U.S. and Taliban are currently engaged in diplomatic talks
Recent discussions between the U.S. and Taliban have focused on Americans held in Afghanistan
BBC is conducting investigations and analyzing satellite imagery to verify claims about the airbase

Why it matters

The situation involves potential changes to international military positioning in a strategically important region
It represents ongoing tensions between the U.S. and the Taliban government
Trump's statements suggest a possible shift in U.S. foreign policy if he returns to office
The claims about China's involvement raise concerns about global power dynamics in the region
The discussion reopens questions about the U.S. withdrawal agreement signed in 2020

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC