President Donald Trump wants the Bagram Air Base, which the Biden administration abandoned in Afghanistan, back under U.S. Control, and is warning if the Taliban doesn’t give it back, something is going to happen.
The Bagram Air Base was originally built by the Soviet Union in the 1950s, but was later expanded and modernized by Americans, and became the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan. The airbase included a hospital, three theaters, and a modern dental clinic.
However, during the Biden administration’s bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, Bagram fell to the Taliban, who gleefully seized all the U.S. military and weapons the Biden administration left behind.
On Thursday, President Trump said of Bagram during a joint press conference with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, “We’re trying to get it back.”
In a Truth Social post Saturday afternoon, Trump took that a step farther.
“If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!! President DJT,” he wrote.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House Saturday night, Trump said, “We’re talking now to Afghanistan. We want it back and we want it back soon. Right away — and if they don’t do it, you’re going to find out what I’m going to do.”
.@POTUS on Bagram Air Base: “We’re talking now to Afghanistan. We want it back and we want it back soon. Right away — and if they don’t do it, you’re going to find out what I’m going to do. pic.twitter.com/lL6g7A2SLU
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 21, 2025
We may be about to find out what President Trump is going to do, because the Taliban has now responded, indicating they are not inclined to give the Bagram back to the United States.
Chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid released the following statement Sunday:
Statement of the Islamic Emirate Regarding the Recent Remarks of the U.S. President. In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, guided by Sharia principles and in line with its balanced and economy-focused foreign policy, seeks positive relations with all countries based on mutual interests and bilateral cooperation.
It has been made clear to the United States in all bilateral negotiations that the independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan are of utmost importance to the Islamic Emirate.
It is worth mentioning that in the Doha Agreement, the United States committed to “not using force or threats against Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and political independence and not interfering in its internal affairs.” Therefore, it is imperative that they adhere to their commitments.
On this basis, it is reiterated that instead of repeating past failed experiences, a rational and realistic approach should be adopted.
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
د امریکا د جمهور رئیس د وروستیو څرګندونو په اړه د اسلامي امارت اعلامیه
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
د افغانستان اسلامي امارت د شرعي اصولو په رڼا کې د خپل متوازن او اقتصاد محوره بهرني سیاست له مخې له ټولو هېوادونو سره د دوه اړخیزو او مشترکو ګټو په اساس مثبتې اړیکې غواړي. https://t.co/sCE5SmF7dC
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) September 21, 2025
Taliban reject Trump’s bid to reclaim Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan https://t.co/5DDTw5PU7y
— POLITICO (@politico) September 21, 2025
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