Strong Taliban Reaction to Recent Statements by U.S. Officials: “A Pretext for Attacking Us.”
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, strongly reacted to the United States’ decision to place Afghanistan under Taliban control on the list of so-called “hostage-taking countries,” describing it as “clear political pretext-building” against the group.
He stressed that the issue of detained U.S. citizens is “neither complex nor serious” and can be resolved through dialogue or judicial processes.
Mujahid added that only two U.S. citizens are currently in Taliban custody and that any other claims including the alleged detention of Mahmood Shah Habibi are untrue.
However, U.S. officials have warned that if the detained citizens are not released, Washington may undertake severe military measures against the Taliban.
In response, the Taliban spokesperson said pressure and threats are not solutions and that exaggerating the issue is merely “pretext-building for future scenarios,” scenarios whose details remain unclear but could include military action.
Mujahid also referred to regional developments, stating that the Taliban would not intervene in a war involving the United States and Israel against Iran but expressed concern about the continuation of hostilities.
He emphasised that U.S. policy towards the Taliban still resembles the wartime period, with sanctions, political pressure, and military threats continuing, and that the possibility of a direct attack on the Taliban remains under consideration at any time.
