KABUL – The Afghan Taliban have firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s idea of reclaiming Bagram Airbase through a possible deal. Senior Taliban official Zakir Jalali said Afghanistan will never accept any foreign military presence, referring to Trump as a businessman trying to negotiate rather than a politician acting on diplomacy.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Jalali acknowledged the need for relations between Afghanistan and the United States. However, he stressed that any relationship must be based on mutual respect, without foreign troops on Afghan soil. He reiterated that Afghan history has always rejected foreign military occupation, including during the Doha peace talks and agreement.
Trump recently suggested that the US should consider regaining control of Bagram, not because of Afghanistan but due to its proximity to China. He claimed the airbase’s location—just an hour from where he alleges China makes nuclear weapons—is too strategic to ignore. However, fact-checks show no Chinese military presence at Bagram, and China’s nuclear sites are far from the area.
According to the BBC, Bagram Airbase was handed over to Afghan forces shortly before the Taliban regained control in 2021. Satellite analysis from 2020 to 2025 shows minimal activity at the base and no evidence of Chinese involvement. The Taliban also dismissed claims of any foreign presence there.
China, meanwhile, issued a statement respecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty and stating that the country’s future must be decided by its people. The Taliban repeated that while military deals are off the table, they are open to economic and diplomatic engagement with the US—just not at the cost of their territorial control or independence.