Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, stated that he believes Washington does not seek to reclaim Bagram Air Base from Afghan control.
Kabul 24: In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Khalilzad emphasized that misinformation has circulated regarding potential US-Afghan security cooperation and the use of Bagram for joint operations.
He had previously mentioned the possibility of shared access to the base but now dismisses those rumors as inaccurate.
These remarks come amid heightened tensions following statements by US President Donald Trump, who revealed ongoing talks with Afghan officials about Bagram.
During a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on September 18, 2025, Trump warned that failure to return the base could lead to “bad things” happening.
He criticized the Biden administration’s 2021 withdrawal, claiming the US “gave it to [the Taliban] for nothing,” and highlighted Bagram’s strategic proximity to China’s nuclear facilities—roughly one hour away by air.
Bagram Air Base, located in Parwan province about 50 kilometers north of Kabul, was the largest US military hub during the two-decade occupation of Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks.
It served as a central command for operations, logistics, and even housed a notorious detention facility.
The base was hastily abandoned in July 2021, just before the full US troop withdrawal, leaving behind billions in equipment and sparking controversy.
Taliban officials have firmly rejected any US military presence. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakir Jalal posted on X: “Afghanistan and the United States need to engage with one another without the United States maintaining any military presence in any part of Afghanistan.” Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi echoed this, stating, “Even if the United States recognized the Taliban and pledged to rebuild all of Afghanistan, we would never give up a single inch of our country for their military presence.” Chief of Staff Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat added that “not even an inch of our land will be negotiated or compromised with anyone.”The exchange underscores fragile US-Taliban relations.
Recent meetings in Kabul between Khalilzad, Trump’s special hostage envoy Adam Boehler, and Muttaqi focused on detained Americans, but Bagram emerged as a flashpoint.
US officials have considered reestablishing a footprint at the site since March 2025, per CNN reports, driven by counterterrorism and geopolitical concerns over China and regional stability.Khalilzad, who led US-Taliban talks in Doha from 2018 to 2021, advocates for strengthened ties in non-military areas like counterterrorism and economic cooperation. “Both Afghanistan and the United States stand to gain from improved relations,” he said in a recent statement, urging resolution of hostage issues as a priority.
Analysts note Trump’s rhetoric may serve domestic audiences, attacking Biden’s exit while signaling toughness on China, but experts doubt the Taliban will yield.Bagram’s fate could ripple across South and Central Asia, influencing ties with Pakistan, Iran, and Russia.
As negotiations stall, the base remains under Taliban control, symbolizing Afghanistan’s insistence on sovereignty post-withdrawal. No timeline for further talks has been set, but the impasse risks escalating rhetoric into action.
