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The Taliban has pushed back against President Donald Trump’s calls to reclaim Bagram Airbase.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: Yesterday, President Trump announced renewed efforts to reclaim Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, citing its critical strategic value and proximity to China. During a press conference in the UK, Trump said that the base is “an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons,” arguing that the US never should have relinquished control. He criticized the 2021 withdrawal under the Biden administration, calling it a mistake that left behind valuable infrastructure and leverage. Trump also said that his administration has been in discussions with Taliban officials about the base’s future, hinting that the Taliban “need things from us” and suggesting that a deal could still be possible.

What’s going on now: The Taliban publicly rejected President Trump’s calls to reclaim Bagram Airbase, dismissing any possibility of a renewed US military presence in Afghanistan. Zakir Jalal, a senior official in the Taliban’s foreign ministry, stated on social media that “the United States maintaining any military presence in any part of Afghanistan” was explicitly ruled out during previous negotiations and remains entirely unacceptable. “Throughout history, Afghans have not accepted a military presence,” he wrote, adding that the Taliban is open to political and economic engagement with Washington — but only “based on mutual respect and shared interests.”

A senior Taliban source echoed this hardline position, telling The Times, “We have expelled Americans from the Islamic Emirate and will not accept their presence in our country. They have attacked us and fought against us for decades, and we will not tolerate any American presence here.”

Despite this public refusal, quiet diplomatic talks between the US and the Taliban have continued in recent weeks. Over the weekend, Trump’s special hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, met with a senior Taliban official. While Bagram was not officially on the agenda, the talks reportedly focused on American citizens currently detained in Afghanistan.