The Taliban has dismissed US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s demand to hand over the Bagram air base to American control, declaring that no deal involving Afghan soil is possible. The air base, located 64 km from Kabul, was once the largest hub of US military operations in Afghanistan before the Taliban seized control in July 2021.
Taliban Chief of Staff Fasihuddin Fitrat stated that Afghanistan is fully independent and will not cede its territory under external pressure. He warned that any act of hostility against the nation would be met with the &ldquo;strongest&rdquo; response.
The rejection came after Trump threatened Afghanistan with &ldquo;bad things&rdquo; if it refused to return Bagram. He has repeatedly criticized the withdrawal, saying it left behind significant US weaponry and military assets.
<h3 dir="ltr">Strategic Importance of Bagram</h3>
Bagram Air Base played a central role in America&rsquo;s post-9/11 war on terror. It housed thousands of detainees, modern military facilities, and even consumer outlets for US troops, including fast-food chains. The base&rsquo;s location near Iran, Pakistan, China&rsquo;s Xinjiang, and Central Asia makes it strategically valuable for surveillance and influence across Eurasia.
Trump recently suggested that the US was working to regain control of Bagram, calling it essential for restoring American presence in the region.
For now, the Taliban&rsquo;s firm stance signals that Washington&rsquo;s ambitions to re-establish control over the strategic base face strong resistance.

Taliban refuses Trump’s demand to return Bagram air base, warns of strong retaliation

Taliban Rejects Trump’s Bagram Base Demand

Taliban refuses Trump’s demand to return Bagram air base, warns of strong retaliation

September 21, 2025 | 16:43 IST