Kabul – Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry has issued a strong statement rejecting any possibility of a US military presence on Afghan soil, in direct response to comments made by US President Donald Trump about retaking Bagram Air Base.
The definitive statement, delivered by the third political secretary of the Afghan Foreign Ministry, Zakir Jalali, underscores a firm and consistent position that was also a central tenet of the 2020 Doha Agreement.
This diplomatic pushback follows Trump’s remarks yesterday in Britain, where he spoke of a potential “deal” to reclaim Bagram.
Jalali’s statement, which was released shortly after the comments, made it clear that while Afghanistan seeks economic and political engagement with the United States, military cooperation remains off the table. The rejection highlights the Afghan government’s commitment to its sovereign stance against foreign military bases.
Trump’s Remarks and the “Bagram Deal”
During a press conference in Britain, President Trump mentioned his desire to retake the strategically vital Bagram Air Base, which was the largest US military installation in Afghanistan for nearly two decades.
The base, located near Kabul, was unilaterally vacated by US forces in July 2021, marking a symbolic end to their military presence in the country.
Zakir Jalali acknowledged Trump’s reputation as a negotiator in his statement, saying, “US President Donald Trump has talked about the Bagram deal, he is a successful businessman and negotiator beyond politics, and he is also mentioning the retaking of Bagram through a deal.”
Jalali immediately pivoted to the Afghan government’s unyielding position, framing the issue as non-negotiable from a military standpoint, even if other forms of engagement are welcome.
A Firm Stance Rooted in History and the Doha Agreement
Jalali emphasized that Afghanistan’s stance against foreign military presence is not a new position but one rooted in its history and recent diplomatic actions. “The Afghans have not accepted military presence in history,” he said, and went on to state that this possibility “was completely rejected during the Doha talks and agreement.”
This direct reference to the Doha Agreement, which paved the way for the withdrawal of international forces, adds significant weight to the Afghan government’s position and highlights the issue as a cornerstone of their foreign policy.
While military cooperation is off the table, the government appears open to fostering relations in other areas.
According to Jalali, “Afghanistan and the United States need to interact with each other and can have economic and political relations based on mutual respect and common interests, regardless of which part of Afghanistan the United States has a military presence.”
Reinforcing the Message: Foreign Minister’s Previous Statements
This recent statement from the Foreign Ministry is consistent with earlier remarks from senior officials. Earlier this year, Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi repeatedly stated that “not even a single square inch of Bagram land will be given.”
The repetition of this definitive phrase from two different high-ranking officials underscores the government’s unified and resolute position on the matter.
