US seeking to regain control of Afghanistan’s Bagram airbase, says Trump
US president suggests he is negotiating with Taliban for American forces to once again occupy base
Pippa Crerar Political editor Guardian
Thu 18 Sep 2025 13.29 EDT
The United States is seeking to retake control of Bagram airbase from the Taliban, Donald Trump has said, bringing back a key strategic asset that was surrendered during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The US president suggested he was negotiating with the Taliban for American forces to once again occupy the base, formerly the largest US military site in the country, and an important regional foothold because of its proximity to China.
His comments about China will alarm western allies, who have been watching the relationship between the two superpowers carefully, amid fears that heightened tensions could lead to further economic turbulence, and even military skirmishes.
During a joint press conference with Keir Starmer at Chequers on Thursday, as he wrapped up a visit to the UK, the US president said: “One of the biggest airbases in the world. We gave it to them for nothing. We’re trying to get it back, by the way.
“We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us. We want that base back. But one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.”
Trump has criticised his predecessor, Joe Biden, over the tumultuous US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, claiming that it left American weapons and other military assets, including bases, in the hands of the Taliban.
In February at his first cabinet meeting after his re-election, Trump said that in his previous Afghanistan withdrawal plan, “we were going to keep Bagram … not because of Afghanistan but because of China because its exactly one hour away from where China makes its nuclear missiles”.
He went on to say that Bagram was one of the biggest airbases in the world, with one of the biggest runways constructed of heavy concrete and steel. The airfield has an 11,800ft (3,600-metre) runway capable of serving bombers and large cargo aircraft.
Trump also claimed at the time that China was occupying the airfield. The Taliban have since rejected Trump’s claims.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the airfield was controlled by Afghanistan, not China.
According to reports, the Taliban have been interested in normalising ties with the US after they were geopolitically isolated as a result of human rights abuses and the ongoing terror threat.
Guardian
Also, he wants to use the base to support jihadist rebels inside Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Georgia. Afghanistan needs to destroy the base. |
