INTERNATIONAL — March 12, 2026
US UN envoy wishes Bagram base still existed amid reports of Iranian leaders near Afghan border
US UN envoy Mike Waltz lamented the loss of Bagram Airbase in a repost about alleged relocation of Iranian leaders near the Afghan border. Trump has previously demanded the Taliban return the base, but they refuse any foreign military presence.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Amu TV — 2 min read
Mike Waltz, the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, reposted on X a claim by American analyst Saul Sadka suggesting that Iranian government leaders had left Tehran and relocated to areas near the Afghan border, including the city of Mashhad. In his repost, Waltz commented: "I wish we still had Bagram Airbase...."
Sadka had posted that it appeared "the leaders of the regime" in Iran had fled the capital for border regions with Afghanistan.
This statement comes amid prior remarks by US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called for retaking the strategic Bagram military base east of Kabul. Trump previously warned the Taliban to return the base to the United States or face "something bad."
The Taliban have refused, stating they will not allow any foreign military presence in Afghanistan.
Read the original reporting at Amu TV →
Reliability assessment
Single source reports a direct, publicly checkable X post by named US official Mike Waltz, including his exact comment, with concrete attribution to analyst Saul Sadka's post and prior Trump statements.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Phrases like 'leaders of the regime' (for Iran) and 'fled' (فرار کردهاند) introduce derogatory framing toward Iranian leadership, implying illegitimacy and panic.
Across the newsrooms
Filed by
Amu TV
Originating
Filed under
International — Mike Waltz, Bagram Airbase, Iran, Taliban, Donald Trump
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