Overview

• In a Truth Social post on September 20, President Trump threatened unspecified consequences unless Afghanistan hands Bagram back to the United States.
• He told reporters the U.S. is “talking to Afghanistan” about the base and declined to say whether troops would be sent to retake it.
• Taliban officials, including Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and diplomat Zakir Jalaly, said Afghanistan will not accept any foreign military presence.
• Recent reporting said U.S. officials have discussed Bagram with Taliban representatives, but no publicly confirmed operational plan has been disclosed.
• Trump has cited the base’s proximity to Chinese nuclear sites as a key motive, while current and former U.S. officials warn a forcible re-occupation could require thousands of troops and advanced air defenses.