Trump Says Trying To 'Get Back' Bagram Airbase From Afghanistan

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that efforts are underway to reclaim control of Afghanistan's Bagram airbase, which the United States relinquished shortly before the Taliban's 2021 takeover.

"We're trying to get it back, by the way, that could be a little breaking news. We're trying to get it back because they need things from us," Trump revealed during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"We want that base back," Trump emphasized, noting that "one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it's an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons".

Following Trump's statement, US officials did not immediately provide clarification regarding his claim about reclaiming the base.

Bagram, Afghanistan's largest airbase, served as the central hub for US-led operations in Afghanistan for two decades after the campaign to overthrow the Taliban following the September 11 attacks on Washington and New York.

However, US and NATO forces withdrew from the strategic installation in July 2021 as the resurgent Taliban captured increasing portions of Afghanistan before ultimately seizing control of the entire country.

Since returning to office, Trump has consistently criticized the loss of the base, connecting it to his broader critique of former President Joe Biden's management of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Trump has also expressed concerns about China's expanding influence in Afghanistan.