Director of the Third Political Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zakir Jalali to Trump: We Seek Mutual Respect in Ties with the U.S., But Afghans Have Never Accepted Foreign Military Presence
Reacting to Donald Trump’s recent remarks about retaking Bagram Airbase, Director of the Third Political Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zakir Jalali stated that Afghanistan wants political relations with the U.S. grounded in mutual respect, but has historically never accepted any foreign military presence.
He added that Trump spoke of Bagram as part of a “deal,” emphasizing that Trump is a successful businessman and dealmaker beyond politics, and his mention of retaking Bagram reflects a transactional mindset.
Jalali stated, “Afghanistan and the U.S. need engagement, and can have economic and political relations based on mutual respect and shared interests, without the U.S. having any military presence in Afghanistan.”
He further stressed that military presence has never been accepted by Afghans, and this possibility was completely ruled out during the Doha talks and agreement — though the door remains open for other forms of engagement.
It is worth noting that Trump recently stated during a speech that he wants to retake Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.
