The Taliban announced the release of an American citizen, Amir Amiri, who had been held in Afghanistan since December 2024. The release took place during talks in Kabul between a U.S. delegation led by Adam Boehler, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for hostage affairs, and Taliban officials.
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the move was part of ongoing diplomatic engagement and noted that his government does not treat foreign detainees as political leverage. He also acknowledged Qatar’s role in facilitating prisoner-related discussions.
Boehler described the development as a constructive step and expressed optimism about continuing dialogue on other unresolved cases. The U.S. State Department welcomed Amiri’s release, emphasizing the Trump administration’s commitment to securing the return of American citizens held overseas. The statement also noted that other U.S. nationals remain detained in Afghanistan.
This marked the third visit by a U.S. delegation to Kabul since the Taliban regained power. Earlier talks in September centered on locating missing American Mahmood Shah Habibi, with a $5 million reward announced for information on his case. Since 2021, several prisoner exchanges have occurred, including the release of Mark Frerichs and George Golzman in separate deals involving detained Taliban members.
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