Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, said their administration was prepared to resolve outstanding issues with the United States through diplomacy, according to a statement released after a call with the United Arab Emirates’ foreign minister.
In the call with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emirati foreign minister, Muttaqi discussed bilateral relations, regional developments and their ties with Washington, the Taliban-run Foreign Ministry said.
Muttaqi described the recent release of an American citizen, Dennis Coyle, as a positive step toward improving engagement with the United States and expressed readiness to address remaining issues through diplomatic channels.
He also raised concerns about escalating regional tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, warning that continued instability could pose serious risks to regional security.
On relations with Pakistan, Muttaqi said the Taliban sought to resolve disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding, adding that Afghanistan’s territory would not be used against other countries. He also described recent military actions as defensive, saying the Taliban reserved the right to respond to any aggression.
The Emirati foreign minister emphasized the importance of continued engagement between the Taliban and the US and said the UAE would continue to support efforts to facilitate dialogue, according to the statement. He also warned that rising tensions between Taliban and Pakistan would benefit neither side.
The Taliban statement said Sheikh Abdullah also pledged continued attention to the welfare and security of Afghan nationals living in the Emirates.
Coyle’s release came amid growing pressure from Washington over the detention of American citizens in Afghanistan. US officials have described the move as positive but have urged the Taliban to do more.
Elizabeth Stickney, a State Department spokesperson, said the United States continued to seek the immediate release of other detained Americans, including Mahmood Habibi and Paul Overby.
“This is a positive step,” she said, “but more needs to be done.”
US officials have repeatedly said the Taliban are engaged in “hostage diplomacy.” Taliban have denied the remarks, saying foreign nationals are detained under Afghanistan’s laws and released through judicial processes.
Since returning to power in 2021, Taliban have released at least six American citizens from their prisons under varying circumstances, including prisoner exchanges and what officials have described as goodwill gestures.
The fate of Mahmood Shah Habibi, an Afghan American businessman believed by US officials to be in Taliban custody since 2022, remains unclear. Taliban have denied holding him.
