Taliban call for ‘realistic approach’ after Trump remarks on Bagram base

Taliban on Sunday urged the United States to adopt what it called a “realistic and rational approach”, saying Afghanistan’s independence and territorial integrity are nonnegotiable following President Trump’s recent remarks about retaking the Bagram air base.

In a press statement, the Taliban said their administration seeks “positive relations based on mutual interests” with all countries, but emphasized that Afghanistan’s independence and territorial integrity “take precedence over everything else.”

The statement cited the 2020 Doha agreement, under which the US pledged not to use force against Afghanistan’s sovereignty or interfere in its internal affairs. “America must remain committed to its promises,” the Taliban said.

Trump has repeatedly said in recent days that the US wants to regain control of Bagram, once America’s largest military base in Afghanistan. On Saturday, he told reporters the US “wants it back as soon as possible” and warned the Taliban of “bad things” if they refuse.

Taliban army chief Fasihuddin Fitrat also rejected Trump’s remarks in a speech in Kabul, saying, “We assure our fellow countrymen that not even an inch of our land is up for negotiation. It is completely impossible and unacceptable.”

Bagram was the hub of US operations during America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan before being handed over to Afghan forces and later seized by the Taliban following the US withdrawal in August 2021.

Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad recently suggested that if progress is made on resolving detainee issues between Washington and the Taliban, broader cooperation — including potential counterterrorism use of Bagram — could eventually be considered.

The Taliban, however, insist that no such negotiations are taking place.