KABUL, Afghanistan (BN24) — The Taliban government Sunday firmly rejected President Donald Trump’s proposal to retake Bagram Air Base, four years after America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan left the sprawling military facility under Taliban control.
Chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed Trump’s assertions and urged the United States to adopt a policy of “realism and rationality” regarding Afghanistan. The rejection came one day after Trump renewed his call to reestablish an American presence at the strategic air base.
Afghanistan maintains an economy-oriented foreign policy and seeks constructive relations with all states based on mutual and shared interests, Mujahid posted on X. He emphasized that Afghanistan’s independence and territorial integrity remain of utmost importance, principles that have been consistently communicated to the United States in all bilateral negotiations.
Trump on Saturday had suggested ongoing discussions with Afghanistan about reclaiming the base, though he provided no details about the purported conversations. When asked by reporters if he would consider deploying U.S. troops to retake the facility, Trump declined to elaborate on potential military action.
“We won’t talk about that,” Trump said. “We want it back, and we want it back right away. If they don’t do it, you’re going to find out what I’m going to do.”
The president first floated the proposal Thursday during a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he concluded a state visit to the United Kingdom. Trump tied his desire to return to Bagram to the need for America to counter its primary rival, China.
“We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said during the press conference, describing the initiative as “breaking news” though he has previously raised similar ideas. The White House has not responded to questions about whether it or the Pentagon has conducted planning regarding returning to the air base that was central to America’s longest war.
Trump has consistently seized on the U.S. withdrawal under President Joe Biden as evidence of failed leadership. During his first presidency, Trump negotiated the initial agreement with the Taliban that set terms for American departure from Afghanistan.
The 20-year conflict concluded in August 2021 under Biden in chaotic fashion. The U.S.-backed Afghan government collapsed, a devastating bombing killed 13 American troops and 170 others, and thousands of desperate Afghans flooded Kabul’s airport seeking evacuation before the final U.S. aircraft departed.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Biden’s handling of the withdrawal, claiming last week that the Afghanistan debacle emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine in February 2022. “He would have never done what he did, except that he didn’t respect the leadership of the United States,” Trump said of Putin.
The president described Bagram’s strategic value in terms of runway strength and capacity. “It’s one of the most powerful bases in the world in terms of runway strength and length,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “You can land anything on there. You can land a planet on top of it.”
Trump has specifically highlighted Bagram’s proximity to China as a key factor in his desire to regain access. “One of the reasons we want that base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons,” Trump said Thursday.
The president suggested that the Taliban, who have struggled with economic crisis, international legitimacy issues, internal divisions and rival militant groups since returning to power in 2021, might be receptive to allowing American military presence. “We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us,” Trump said.
However, Taliban Foreign Ministry official Zakir Jalaly dismissed the possibility late Thursday. “Afghanistan and the U.S. need to interact with each other and can have economic and political relations based on mutual respect and common interests,” Jalaly posted on X.
Jalaly emphasized Afghanistan’s historical resistance to foreign military presence. “The Afghans have not accepted a military presence in history, and this possibility was completely rejected during the Doha talks and agreement, but the door is open for further interaction.”
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, the United States and Taliban have maintained limited engagement primarily focused on hostage negotiations. An American tourist abducted more than two years ago while traveling through Afghanistan was released by the Taliban in March.
Last week, the Taliban announced reaching an agreement with U.S. envoys on a prisoner exchange as part of efforts to normalize relations between the countries. The Taliban provided no details about the detainee swap, and the White House declined to comment on the Kabul meeting or the results described in Taliban statements.
Taliban officials released photographs from recent talks showing their foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, meeting with Trump’s special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler, indicating ongoing diplomatic contact despite the military base dispute.
U.S. Central Command officials and Pentagon representatives, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office, have referred questions about reestablishing presence at Bagram to the White House, suggesting no immediate military planning for such operations.
The Taliban’s firm rejection of Trump’s proposal reflects their emphasis on sovereignty and independence since regaining control of Afghanistan. The group has consistently maintained that foreign military presence remains unacceptable while expressing openness to economic and diplomatic engagement.
Bagram Air Base served as the primary hub for U.S. and NATO operations throughout the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan. The facility’s strategic location and extensive infrastructure made it crucial for military operations across the region before its abandonment during the 2021 withdrawal.
The current standoff over Bagram illustrates continuing tensions between American strategic interests and Taliban governance priorities in Afghanistan. While both sides have indicated willingness for limited engagement on specific issues, fundamental disagreements over military presence appear to persist.
