US Detainee Issue Can Be Resolved Through Dialogue, Says Taliban
The Taliban foreign ministry says the United States’ decision to label the group as supporting wrongful detentions is regrettable and insists no foreign citizens have been held as bargaining tools.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi stated in a post on X on Tuesday that the individuals currently detained had been arrested for violating existing laws and would be released after the completion of legal procedures.
The statement said several rounds of talks had taken place between the Taliban administration and the United States, facilitated by the government of Qatar, during which both sides promised certain positive steps.
The Taliban foreign ministry said it hopes the issue will be resolved through ongoing dialogue and constructive engagement between the two sides.
The United States on Monday designated the Taliban administration as a jurisdiction responsible for wrongful detention. After Iran, the Taliban are the second regime placed on the list.
Marco Rubio said the Taliban were using tactics resembling terrorism to extract political concessions and stressed that such methods would not succeed against the United States.
According to Washington, at least three US citizens are currently being held in Taliban prisons.
