- Foreign Minister Muttaqi says Kabul seeks solutions ‘through diplomacy, not politics’
- US envoy Adam Boehler welcomes release, calls earlier talks ‘constructive’
KABUL: Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Sunday confirmed that an American citizen, Amir Amiri, had been released from prison following talks with a United States delegation in Kabul, the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler, welcomed the release, describing it as “a good moment” for Amiri and a positive step in bilateral engagements.
د ا.ا.ا. د بهرنیو چارو وزیر محترم مولوي امیر خان متقي سره نن د بندیانو په چارو کې د امریکا متحده ایالتونو د ولسمشر ځانگړي استازي اډم بولر په مشرۍ امریکایې پلاوي وکتل.
د هېواد د بهرنیو چارو وزیر وویل، د ا.ا.ا. د امیر امیري په نامه امریکايي تبعه نن له بند څخه ازاد کړ… pic.twitter.com/eL97XQWPY7— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Afghanistan (@MoFA_Afg) September 28, 2025
Muttaqi said the Afghan government does not approach such matters “from a political angle” and stressed that “ways can be found to resolve issues through diplomacy.” He thanked the government of Qatar for facilitating the process and described the release as a confidence-building step.
According to the Afghan ministry, Boehler termed the earlier round of talks between Kabul and Washington as “constructive” and expressed hope that dialogue would continue to address pending issues. This marked the American delegation’s second visit to Kabul in recent weeks.
During the first round of discussions, the US side had pressed for the release of American prisoners, while Taliban leaders demanded the release of Afghan national Mohammad Rahim, reportedly detained at Guantanamo Bay. Washington had agreed in principle to transfer Rahim to Qatar, though Sunday’s statement made no mention of progress on that demand.
The release of Amiri follows other recent gestures by Taliban authorities, including the freeing of an elderly British couple earlier this month after nearly eight months in detention. Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbara, 76, were reunited with their family after their arrest in February drew international concern over their health.
Standing near a plane at Kabul airport following their release, Barbara, wearing a red headscarf, said: “We’ve been treated very well. We’re looking forward to seeing our children.”
The Afghan foreign ministry underscored that it remained committed to addressing humanitarian and consular concerns through dialogue, framing the latest prisoner release as part of wider efforts to build diplomatic engagement with Washington.
