A Taliban official has firmly dismissed former President Donald Trump's suggestion that the United States could regain control of a significant airbase in Afghanistan. This statement comes in the wake of Trump's recent comments, where he expressed a desire to reclaim the airbase, asserting that the US "needs things from us." Zakir Jalal, who serves in the Taliban's foreign ministry, emphasized that the notion of a continued US military presence in Afghanistan was categorically rejected during prior negotiations between the two parties before the Taliban's resurgence in power.
Trump's comments were made during a press conference in the UK, where he indicated that retaking the Bagram airbase—previously the center of NATO operations in Afghanistan for nearly two decades—might be feasible. He pointed out that the base was transferred to the Afghan military shortly before the Taliban assumed control. The former president claimed that the US handed over the base "for nothing," underscoring his belief that its strategic significance remains critical.
The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan was a key component of a deal forged during Trump's first term in 2020 and completed under President Joe Biden in 2021. Despite this, Trump asserted in March that he had intended to maintain a presence at Bagram airbase, not solely for Afghan interests but with an eye toward China. He reiterated the base's strategic location, noting its proximity to areas where China develops its nuclear weapons.
However, there is ambiguity surrounding Trump's assertions. A BBC Verify investigation conducted in July highlighted a nuclear testing site located approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) away in northwestern China, raising questions about the claims made by the former president. Additionally, Trump has frequently alleged that China has established a presence at Bagram airbase, which is situated north of Kabul. The Taliban have categorically denied these allegations.
A separate BBC investigation, analyzing 30 satellite images from late 2020 to 2025, found minimal activity at Bagram airbase since the Taliban's return to power, with no evidence supporting the presence of Chinese military forces at the site. In response to the situation, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry stated that China respects Afghanistan's territorial integrity and sovereignty, affirming that Afghanistan's future should be determined by its own people.
In light of recent developments, Zakir Jalal took to social media platform X, declaring, "Throughout history, Afghans have not accepted a military presence, and this possibility was completely rejected during the Doha talks and agreement, but the doors are open to other engagement." While the US and the Taliban have been engaging in discussions, a recent meeting on Saturday with the Taliban's foreign minister reportedly focused on the Americans currently held in Afghanistan, according to news agency Reuters.
