In a move that has sent ripples through diplomatic and intelligence circles, reports have emerged suggesting the Taliban may have quietly handed over control of Bagram Air Base to the United States.

According to an Afghan media outlet, Khaama Press, a U.S. C-17 military aircraft recently landed at Bagram air base. Reports indicate that a C-17 aircraft departed from Al-Udeid Air Base in Doha and flew to Afghanistan via Pakistan, landing at Bagram.

The reported presence of senior CIA officials at Bagram suggests a possible effort to re-establish U.S. intelligence networks in the region.

A report also stated that U.S. Air Force C-17 Globe master III aircraft not only delivered military vehicles, intelligence hardware assets but also high-ranking intelligence personnel, including CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis— raising more questions than answers about Washington’s next move.

Though officially unconfirmed, the development points to continued American intelligence interests in Afghanistan. The reported presence of senior CIA officials at Bagram suggests a possible effort to re-establish U.S. intelligence networks in the region.

However, no official statements have been released by Washington, the Pentagon, and Islamabad to confirm the details or purpose of this operation. Despite these developments, Taliban’s chief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, dismissed the reports outright, calling them “baseless.”

Mujahid denied claims that a U.S. military C-17 aircraft had landed at Bagram Air Base, labelling such reports as “propaganda” intended to mislead the public. He reiterated the Taliban’s position that no foreign military presence would be tolerated in Afghanistan, asserting that there is currently no justification or need for such involvement.

Meanwhile, ex-Afghan intelligence officer Sikander Tirakhel reported that flight logs from that day verified a U.S. Air Force C-17’s travel from a Qatari base to Bagram airfields. He questioned how the Taliban spokesperson could deny the open-source aviation tracking data seemingly confirming the plane’s landing at Bagram.

Tirakhel further claimed that “for the last many days the Taliban Special Forces moved to secure the perimeter of Bagram Air Base”. According to him, “the Taliban blocked the highway leading to the facility—an unusual level of activity that suggests something of strategic importance may indeed have occurred”.

President Trump remarked that we were going to keep Bagram, not because of Afghanistan, but because of China.

Once the nerve center of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, Bagram Air Base represents both the scale of America’s long engagement in the region and the dramatic realignment of power that followed the 2021 withdrawal.

The Taliban’s takeover of the base underscored the rapid collapse of the U.S.-backed Ashraf Ghani‘s government and the resurgence of the group as the dominant force.

President Donald Trump had previously vowed to retain control of Bagram Air Base, emphasizing its strategic importance beyond Afghanistan. During a cabinet meeting, Trump remarked that we were going to keep Bagram, not because of Afghanistan, but because of China, signalling his focus on the broader geopolitical landscape and the rising power of China.

Since 2021, after the US chaotic withdrawal, China has strengthened its foothold in Afghanistan through investments in infrastructure, economic projects, and diplomatic efforts.

The country’s vast mineral resources and pivotal location make it a key player in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, positioning Afghanistan as an important hub for Beijing’s regional ambitions.

Although the Taliban denies any official Chinese presence at Bagram, reports suggest that China has significantly expanded its security ties with Afghanistan.

The evolving situation following the reported Bagram AB event, analysts warn, might cause critical strategic conflict between the U.S. and China. The alleged presence of senior CIA officials at Bagram Air Base raises the possibility of the U.S. rebuilding its intelligence infrastructure in Afghanistan — a significant development given the region’s volatility.

After the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, much of its intelligence operations in Afghanistan had been dismantled or moved to neighboring countries. However, the re-establishment of intelligence networks at Bagram could signify a renewed U.S. focus on gathering critical information from within Afghanistan, particularly on the rising threat of extremist groups.

Flight logs from that day verified a U.S. Air Force C-17’s travel from a Qatari base to Bagram airfields.

This move comes at a time of growing concerns about the resurgence of ISIS-K (Islamic State Khorasan), which has significantly escalated its attacks. In addition, the Taliban’s grip on power remains tenuous, with various factions vying for influence within Afghanistan. The potential revival of U.S. intelligence efforts may be tied to tracking these developments, including efforts to curb ISIS-K’s rising momentum, which threatens both Afghanistan’s security and regional stability.

Moreover, the increasing influence of regional powers such as Pakistan, Iran, and China further complicates the strategic calculus. Pakistan and Iran’s strategic manoeuvres in the region, and China’s growing economic and infrastructural footprint in Afghanistan, add layers of complexity to the situation.

The U.S. may be looking to monitor and counter these influences, particularly given China’s investments in Afghan mining and infrastructure projects, and Iran’s support of Taliban factions.

With these powers carving out spheres of influence, maintaining intelligence operations in Afghanistan could provide the U.S. with key insights into their strategies, as well as opportunities to counter their growing presence in the region.

China has significantly expanded its security ties with Afghanistan.

Thus, if these reports about the CIA’s renewed presence at Bagram are accurate, it could signal that the U.S. is gearing up for a more nuanced, intelligence-driven approach to its involvement in Afghanistan, rather than a large-scale military presence.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.