The US and the Taliban held talks in Doha for the first time since their withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. As Washington pressed the Taliban to roll back policies responsible for the deterioration of the human rights situation in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaki stressed the need to lift sanctions on the country.

The US State Department said talks with senior Taliban representatives and technical professionals took place in the Qatari capital on Sunday and Monday. The US delegation supported the demand of the people of Afghanistan to respect their rights and the future of the country, especially women, girls and vulnerable communities.

According to the State Department, the delegation emphasized the release of detained US citizens. Along with this, reiterated the commitment to not allowing the land of Afghanistan to become a platform for attacks on America and its allies. The Taliban demanded the freeing of Afghan assets, the lifting of all sanctions as well as the travel ban. Since regaining power in Afghanistan, no country has yet formally recognized the Taliban.