The Taliban mentioned Saturday that they had reached an settlement with U.S. envoys on an alternate of prisoners as a part of an effort to normalize relations between the USA and Afghanistan.
They gave no particulars of an precise detainee swap and the White Home didn’t touch upon the assembly in Kabul or the outcomes described in a Taliban assertion.
The Taliban launched images from their talks, exhibiting their overseas minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, with President Trump’s particular envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler, in addition to Zalmay Khalilzad, who served because the U.S. particular envoy for Afghan peace in the course of the first Trump administration.
On this photograph launched by the Taliban Overseas Ministry Press Service, Amir Khan Muttaqi, left, the appearing overseas minister of the Taliban authorities, meets with Adam Boehler, the U.S. president’s particular envoy for Detainee Affairs, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Taliban Overseas Ministry Press Service through AP
On the problem of prisoners, Boehler “confirmed that the two sides would undertake an exchange of detainees,” the Taliban assertion mentioned. No info was offered on how many individuals are being held in every nation, their identities or the explanations and circumstances of their imprisonment.
The assembly got here after the Taliban, in March, launched U.S. citizen George Glezmann, who was kidnapped whereas touring via Afghanistan as a vacationer. He was the third detainee freed by the Taliban since Mr. Trump took workplace.Shortly after, American citizen Faye Corridor was freed by the Taliban after being detained on fees of utilizing a drone with out authorization.
Whereas answering reporter’s questions in Tel Aviv on Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned the U.S. envoys have been having conversations with the Taliban for a while, however didn’t affirm the small print of any settlement.
“[Boehler] went there to explore what’s possible,” Rubio mentioned. “Obviously, it’ll be the president’s decision in terms of any trades or any exchanges, but we most certainly want any Americans or anyone being unlawfully detained to be released.”
The talks got here after the Taliban sharply criticized Mr. Trump’s new journey ban that bars Afghans from getting into the USA.
“Comprehensive discussions were held on ways to develop bilateral relations between the two countries, issues related to citizens, and investment opportunities in Afghanistan,” the Taliban mentioned.
The assertion added that the U.S. delegation additionally expressed condolences over the devastating earthquake in jap Afghanistan late final month, which is believed to have killed at the least 2,200 individuals.
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