Taliban rejects Trump's demands to regain Bagram Air Base control

On September 21, 2025, the Taliban publicly rejected claims that they were in negotiations regarding the former U.S. Bagram Air Base, which had been abandoned during the United States' military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. This statement came in response to President Donald Trump's warning of potential consequences if the base was not returned to U.S. control. Taliban army chief Qari Fasihuddin asserted that the group would not yield any territory, stating, 'That is impossible,' and expressed that they feared no one. The Taliban expressed its goal of maintaining Afghanistan's independence and territorial integrity, which they suggested is a vital aspect of their foreign policy. In the backdrop of these developments, Trump has consistently linked the base's importance to ongoing geopolitical dynamics, particularly in relation to China. He has claimed that Bagram is currently under Chinese control, a statement that Afghan authorities dispute. Trump has been vocal about his intent to reclaim the base, citing its proximity to areas associated with Chinese nuclear weapon development. The remarks drew significant attention as they highlighted not only the strained relations between the two nations but also the complexities of Afghanistan’s future under Taliban governance. The statement from the Taliban emphasized that under the Doha agreement made in 2020, the United States had pledged not to threaten Afghanistan’s sovereignty. The Taliban believed that the U.S. should respect these commitments. Trump, however, claimed that the U.S. is in talks to regain control, indicating ongoing tensions between his administration’s approach and the Taliban’s firm stance on territorial claims. Given Trump's history with negotiations during his presidency, this situation reinforces the unpredictable political landscape regarding U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. As the situation unfolds, the Taliban reiterated their intention to seek constructive relations with all states, deliberately distancing themselves from discussions that include ceding Afghan territory. The contrasting narratives from both sides suggest that negotiations over Bagram Air Base may not only be a matter of territorial integrity but also a testing ground for the broader diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Taliban-led Afghanistan. This development is likely to continue influencing future interactions and may shape international perspectives on Afghanistan's autonomy under Taliban rule.