Kabul, Afghanistan – Relations between the United States and Afghanistan have reached a perilous new low after U.S. president Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum for the return of Bagram Air Base, a demand the ruling Taliban government has unequivocally rejected.

The diplomatic firestorm ignited on september 20, 2025, when president Trump declared that "bad things" would happen if Afghanistan does not cede control of the strategic air base. The U.S. built and operated the facility for two decades following the september 11 attacks before abandoning it during the chaotic 2021 withdrawal. Speaking to reporters and on social media, Trump emphasized that discussions with Afghanistan were ongoing but did not rule out military action if his demands were not met.

In a swift and firm response, the Taliban government dismissed any possibility of surrendering sovereign territory. Speaking from Jalalabad, chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid cited the Doha Agreement, the 2020 pact that paved the way for the U.S. withdrawal. Mujahid reminded the U.S. of its commitment under the agreement to respect Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and not interfere in its internal affairs.

"Afghanistan will not cede control of Bagram Air Base to the United States," Mujahid stated, underscoring that the nation prioritizes an "economy-oriented" foreign policy and seeks constructive relations with all countries.

His sentiment was echoed by the Taliban defense ministry's chief of staff, Fasihuddin Fitrat, who declared the notion of handing over the base as "out of the question."

The Bagram controversy highlights the complex and deeply fractured relationship between Washington and Kabul since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. The United States, which does not formally recognize the Taliban government, has historically been a major partner in the region's security. However, the current standoff over Bagram—once the heart of U.S. military operations in the country—threatens to unravel the fragile channels of communication that remain.

Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, the two sides have engaged in sensitive negotiations, including recent prisoner exchanges and the release of an American hostage in march. President Trump has alluded to Afghanistan's significant economic struggles and internal instability as potential points of leverage in the Bagram talks.

The tense situation is set against a backdrop of careful diplomatic maneuvering by the Taliban. On september 19, 2025, the government released a detained British couple, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, after more than seven months. The move, mediated by Qatar, was widely seen as an attempt by the Taliban to improve its international standing and pursue formal recognition on the world stage.

As the standoff continues, the future of Afghanistan-United States relations hangs in the balance. The Taliban's insistence on a "policy of realism and rationality" from Washington clashes with Trump's assertive demands, leaving the international community watching to see if diplomacy or confrontation will define the next chapter.