A Taliban official rejected Donald Trump's suggestion that the US retake Bagram airbase in Afghanistan. Zakir Jalal, from the Taliban's foreign ministry, stated that any US military presence was rejected during prior negotiations. Trump's claim of a Chinese presence at the base and its strategic importance near Chinese nuclear facilities is unsupported by evidence, according to a BBC investigation. While the US and Taliban are currently in talks, the Taliban maintains its stance against a US military presence.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.