Afghan Government Rejects Trump’s Bagram Air Base Demand

Headline: Trump Wants Bagram Air Base Back, Kabul Firmly Rejects Return of US Troops

U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States wants to regain control of Bagram air base in Afghanistan. He made the remarks during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump called the base strategically important due to its location near China. He added, “We want that base back,” referring to Bagram, once the center of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan after 9/11.

However, the Afghan government quickly rejected the idea of any new U.S. military presence. Foreign Ministry official Zakir Jalal stated that Afghanistan does not need American forces on its soil. He added that the two countries should instead build economic and political ties based on mutual respect. Kabul emphasized that Afghanistan’s sovereignty must be respected in any future engagement with Washington.

China also weighed in, supporting Afghanistan’s independence and opposing foreign military involvement. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said regional peace depends on cooperation, not confrontation. He stressed that the future of Afghanistan should be in the hands of its people. Beijing urged all countries to avoid actions that could raise regional tensions.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials met with Taliban representatives to discuss Americans detained in Afghanistan. Trump administration envoy Adam Boehler and Trump diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad held talks with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Although Washington does not recognize the Taliban government, it has maintained unofficial dialogue on specific issues. The U.S. continues to press for the release of its citizens held in Afghan custody.

In response to Trump’s remarks, the Afghan Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement. It said the return of U.S. forces is both “unacceptable and unworkable.” The ministry reminded the public that it was Trump himself who previously ordered the withdrawal from Bagram. Kabul has since maintained that Afghan soil must be free from all foreign military forces.