In an exclusive interview with Kyodo News, acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said his interim government is "seeking to normalize relations" with the United States, exactly five years after US forces completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The remarks come amid persistent tensions between the Taliban and Washington since the US pullout in 2021. The United States has not officially recognized the Taliban government and has imposed numerous economic sanctions on Afghanistan.
According to Muttaqi, normalizing ties with the US is a top priority for the interim government, with the aim of boosting economic cooperation and facilitating Afghanistan's reintegration into the international community.
The Taliban diplomat's statement is seen as the latest signal of the group's efforts to gain international recognition and support, as Afghanistan grapples with a severe humanitarian crisis and economic downturn.
