US Interest in Regaining Bagram Air Base
Overview
In September 2025 President Trump said the US was trying to 'get back' Bagram air base in Afghanistan, citing its proximity to China, and warned of consequences if the Taliban refused. The Taliban rejected the demand, and Pakistan joined China, Russia, Iran, India and others in a Moscow Format statement opposing any foreign military presence in Afghanistan.
Latest updates
The seventh Moscow Format meeting, including Pakistan, issued a joint statement rejecting any foreign military presence in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries, without naming the United States
President Trump said his administration was trying to get Bagram back from the Taliban
Positions on the record
Islamabad says
Pakistan joined a Moscow Format joint statement saying there should be no foreign military presence in Afghanistan or neighbouring countries 'under any pretext'.
Quoted or summarised from the linked public statements only.
Recent developments
A renewed US military foothold in Afghanistan would change Pakistan's strategic environment and could involve requests for transit or overflight. Pakistan's signature on the Moscow statement shows the limits of its alignment with Washington on Afghanistan.
Recommended resources
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Trump Says US Seeks To 'Get Back' Bagram Base Amid Taliban Rule
19 September 2025
via RFE/RL (via GlobalSecurity.org)
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Pakistan, regional powers reject any return of foreign bases in Afghanistan
via Arab News
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No to Trump: Why Afghanistan's neighbours have opposed US Bagram plan
9 October 2025
via Al Jazeera
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South Asia Brief: Trump and Bagram
24 September 2025
via Foreign Policy
