September 21, 2025 – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to Afghanistan, demanding the return of the Bagram Airbase to American control. Posting on Truth Social, Trump warned that “bad things are going to happen” if the Taliban regime refuses to hand over the strategic facility.
During a recent visit to the UK, Trump reiterated that the United States is “trying to get it back,” criticizing the 2021 withdrawal that saw the airbase fall into Taliban hands. He stressed the base’s strategic importance, noting that Bagram is “exactly one hour away from where China makes its nuclear missiles.”
The Taliban government, however, has categorically rejected any foreign military presence on Afghan soil. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated that the sovereignty of Afghanistan is non-negotiable.
China has also weighed in, warning that any U.S. attempt to reclaim Bagram would escalate regional tensions.
Bagram Airbase, once the largest U.S. military hub in Afghanistan, was vacated in July 2021 during the American and NATO troop withdrawal. Since then, it has been under Taliban control.
-
