Trump presses to reclaim Bagram, cites Chinese nuclear proximity; Taliban rebuffs demand
On Sept. 18, 2025, during remarks with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, former President Donald Trump said the U.S. is trying to regain control of Bagram Air Base — warning on Truth Social and to reporters that he wants it "back right away," threatening unspecified consequences and arguing the base is valuable because it lies near where China "makes its nuclear weapons." The Taliban, through spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, rejected the bid and cited the 2020 Doha agreement and Afghanistan’s territorial integrity — a position echoed by Afghan defense officials — while analysts note China’s Lop Nur test site is roughly 1,200 miles from Bagram and the Pentagon projects Beijing could field over 1,000 warheads by 2030.
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Trump's push to reclaim Bagram cites proximity to China's nuclear program
New information:
- Trump framed Bagram as valuable because it is near where China 'makes its nuclear weapons' and repeated the point in London this month (quote included).
- Carnegie Endowment senior fellow Tong Zhao said Lop Nur's last explosive test was in 1996 but that China appears to maintain and even expand the range, and noted Lop Nur is roughly 1,200 miles from Bagram.
- The article cites a recent Pentagon projection that China could expand to over 1,000 warheads by 2030.
- Reiterates Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid's rejection of handing the base back and his reference to the 2020 Doha agreement via an X post, and includes Zalmay Khalilzad's comment that joint use could be possible if broader issues were resolved.
Taliban rejects Trump's bid to take over Afghan air base once controlled by U.S.
New information:
- Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid publicly rejected Trump’s bid to retake Bagram and urged the U.S. to adopt 'realism and rationality.'
- Mujahid cited the Doha Agreement, stating the U.S. pledged not to use or threaten force against Afghanistan’s territorial integrity or political independence.
- Afghan Defense Ministry chief of staff Fasihuddin Fitrat said 'ceding even an inch of our soil to anyone is out of the question and impossible' in a speech broadcast by Afghan media.
- Mujahid posted on X that Afghanistan seeks constructive relations based on mutual interests and emphasized the country’s independence and territorial integrity.
- Taliban did not respond to AP follow‑ups about alleged conversations with the U.S. regarding Bagram, despite Trump’s claim 'we’re talking now to Afghanistan.'
Trump warns Afghanistan over return of strategic Bagram Air Base to US control
New information:
- Trump posted on Truth Social that if Afghanistan doesn’t return Bagram Air Base, 'BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!'
- He told reporters the U.S. wants Bagram back 'right away' and warned, 'if they don't do it, you're going to find out what I'm going to do.'
- Reiterated claim that Bagram is about an hour from where China 'makes its nuclear weapons,' cited as a reason to regain the base.
Trump: US trying to get Bagram Airbase 'back' from Taliban in Afghanistan
New information:
- Trump announced the effort on Sept. 18, 2025 during remarks with U.K. PM Keir Starmer.
- He said the U.S. wants Bagram back and suggested unspecified leverage over the Taliban.
- Trump offered no specifics on terms, timeline, or which U.S. entities are involved.