The United States has reaffirmed its stance on Afghanistan, confirming that there are no current plans to reopen its embassy in Kabul. Spokespersons from the US National Security Council and the State Department have made it clear that there are no discussions or specific plans in place regarding the resumption of embassy activities in the Afghan capital.
James Hewitt, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, stated on April 4 that reopening the embassy is not currently on the US agenda. Similarly, State Department officials confirmed that there has been no change in U.S. policy towards Afghanistan, with no immediate plans to reestablish diplomatic presence in Kabul.
This confirmation follows recent speculation about a potential limited diplomatic presence in Afghanistan. However, officials have emphasized that US relations with the Taliban remain strained, and the lack of trust persists.
Hewitt also stated that the Taliban has failed to practically commit to the February 2020 Doha Agreement. The main promise made by the Taliban in which the group failed to implement was preventing any terrorist group from threatening the security of the United States from Afghan soil. The Trump administration has accused the Taliban of not preventing the recruitment, training, and fundraising by Al-Qaeda.
The UN Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concluded in February 2025 that Afghanistan continues to be a haven for dozens of terrorist groups. The statement mentions that despite claims by Taliban regarding the successful fight against terrorist groups, ISIS-K and Al-Qaeda groups remain their presence in the country and both groups are consolidating their power to carry out attacks in the West. The Taliban intelligence is also said to be providing safe houses and training camps for Al-Qaeda personnel throughout the country.
Apart from the security concerns, the administration is also bringing human rights issues to the table, reporting that Afghan women are still deprived of their basic rights and subjected to rape and humiliation, as well as treatment of ordinary citizens by the group has deteriorated over the past years. The Taliban’s failure in guaranteeing human rights is chief among the failed promises.
However, in recent months, the US is actively engaging with the Taliban, with visits to Kabul by US delegation to discuss the release of American hostages in Afghanistan. The discussions paved the way for the two Americans George Glezmann and Faye Hall to be freed from the Taliban detention.
The US embassy in Kabul was closed after the US military's withdrawal in August 2021 and the Taliban's return to power. Since then, the US has continued diplomatic operations in Afghanistan from its mission in Doha, Qatar.
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