Kabul welcomes regional rejection of foreign military bases
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Afghanistan hails China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan for opposing foreign military bases, days after Trump warned Kabul to hand over Bagram Air Base.
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Taliban fighters stand guard on Nadir Khan hill in Kabul, Afghanistan, on June 10, 2025 (AP)
Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration has welcomed a joint declaration by China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan opposing the return of foreign military bases in the country.
The statement came after the four nations’ foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, reaffirming their commitment to Afghanistan’s sovereignty and regional stability.
In a joint communique, the countries that form a quadrilateral consultation mechanism created in 2017 said they “firmly oppose” any attempt by outside powers to establish military bases in Afghanistan or its neighboring region.
Kabul responds
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the government, praised the stance and stressed that Afghan territory will not be allowed to be used against any country.
“Afghanistan is taking serious steps against corruption, drugs and all kinds of undesirable issues and considers this process its responsibility,” he said, adding that Kabul seeks positive relations with all countries based on "mutual respect".
US pressure over Bagram
The declaration comes just days after US President Donald Trump warned that “bad things” would happen if the Taliban did not cede control of the Bagram Air Base to the Pentagon.
Kabul has insisted it will not compromise its territorial integrity and urged Washington to honor the 2020 Doha Agreement, which paved the way for the withdrawal of US-led forces in August 2021, ending a two-decade invasion and war on the country.
Taliban releases US citizen Amir Amiri after Qatari mediation
An American citizen detained in Afghanistan since December has been released following Qatari mediation, Afghan and US officials confirmed on Sunday.
Amir Amiri, now en route to the United States, is the fifth American freed this year by the Taliban government, which returned to power in August 2021 after the withdrawal of US-led forces.
Negotiations for Amiri’s release lasted several months, sources told Al Jazeera. The breakthrough came after Qatari officials facilitated talks between Amiri and Adam Boehler, the US special envoy for hostage affairs.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the release, calling it evidence of Washington’s “determination to protect American nationals from wrongful detention abroad.” He added that “additional Americans remain unjustly detained in Afghanistan” and pledged that President Donald Trump “will not rest until all our captive citizens are back home.”
The other US citizens released by the Taliban this year include Ryan Corbett, William McKenty, George Glezmann, and Faye Hall. Earlier this month, Qatar also helped secure the release of a British couple held in Afghanistan for several months..
