Taliban rejects Trump's demand to return Bagram Air Base to US

The Taliban has rejected President Trump's demand to return the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan to the U.S.

"It has been consistently communicated to the United States in all bilateral negotiations that, for the Islamic Emirate, Afghanistan’s independence and territorial integrity are of the utmost importance," Taliban deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat posted on X on Sunday.

"It should be recalled that, under the Doha Agreement, the United States pledged that 'it will not use or threaten force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Afghanistan, nor interfere in its internal affairs.' Therefore, it is necessary that they remain faithful to their commitments. Accordingly, it is once again underscored that, rather than repeating past failed approaches, a policy of realism and rationality should be adopted."

On Saturday, Trump posted on Truth Social, "If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!"

The U.S. abandoned the air base in 2021 during former President Biden's military withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

While in England on Thursday, Trump said regarding the base, “We gave it to them for nothing. We’re trying to get it back, by the way. That could be a little breaking news. We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us. We want that base back, but one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons."