US and Taliban in Talks on Embassy Reopening and Bagram

DID Press: US and Taliban officials are reportedly in talks to reopen embassies in Kabul and Washington and to discuss the possible return of control over Bagram Airbase to the United States, a move that signal a shift in Washington’s approach toward Afghanistan.

RIA Novosti reported that negotiations have begun between American representatives and the Taliban government regarding the restoration of diplomatic missions in both capitals.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the talks, saying that preliminary agreements have been reached to revive diplomatic relations.

Political sources in Kabul indicated that following the reopening of its embassy, the U.S. intends to regain control of Bagram Airbase, which fell under Taliban control after the American military withdrawal in 2021 and is considered strategically important by Washington.

Earlier, Mujahid had firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to retake Bagram, telling Sky News: “Afghans will never allow their soil to be handed over to any country.” Nonetheless, he emphasized that the Taliban supports restoring diplomatic relations with the U.S. and welcomes the reopening of embassies in both capitals.

Mujahid also noted that while some countries have recognized the Taliban, formal diplomatic acknowledgment has not yet been officially declared.

On September 20, Trump warned on Truth Social that “if Afghanistan does not return Bagram Airbase to those who built it [referring to the U.S.], bad things will happen.”