Taliban reject Trump's bid to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan
Taliban say Afghanistan's independence and territorial integrity are non-negotiable as Washington signals possible talks but has offered no plan to return to Bagram.
JALALABAD, Afghanistan — The Taliban government on Sunday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's bid to retake Bagram Air Base, four years after America's chaotic withdrawal left the sprawling facility in Taliban hands. The report, dated September 21, 2025, at 6:19 a.m. local time, underscores the sensitivity surrounding any potential return of foreign forces to Afghanistan's security framework.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid pushed back on the notion that Bagram could be returned to American control. He urged the United States to pursue a policy grounded in realism and rationality, and he said Afghanistan's independence and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable in all bilateral talks. Mujahid also cited the Doha Agreement as a reminder that Washington should honor its commitments and refrain from threatening or interfering in Afghanistan's internal affairs. He did not respond to requests for information about whether any conversations with Trump administration officials touched on Bagram specifically.
It remains unclear what conversations the United States has had with Afghan officials about returning to the country, if any. U.S. officials have offered no public plan for a direct military reentry, and observers say the issue is deeply tied to broader questions of legitimacy, security, and regional diplomacy. Afghanistan's government has wrestled with an economic crisis, limited international recognition, internal rifts, and the presence of rival militant groups since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
This week marks the fourth anniversary of the Taliban's takeover of Kabul and the third anniversary of their capture of Bagram, events that drew attention from Washington amid ongoing discussions about the future of U.S.-Afghan relations. A display of abandoned U.S. equipment at Bagram last year highlighted the stark symbolism of the exit, a moment Trump has used to criticize his predecessor's handling of the withdrawal.
For now, there is no confirmed U.S. blueprint for reestablishing a formal presence at Bagram, and Afghan officials have repeatedly stressed that their country's sovereignty must be respected in any dealings with outside powers. In Kabul and across the region, many analysts say the rhetoric around Bagram reflects broader tensions over security, aid, and the path toward economic revival in Afghanistan.