US Taliban prisoner swap agreed in rare Kabul talks

US Taliban prisoner swap confirmed in Kabul talks, involving high-profile detainees and signaling a potential step toward resolving long-standing disputes. In a significant diplomatic development, United States officials have reportedly agreed to a prisoner exchange with the Taliban following a high-level meeting in Kabul. The discussion involved Adam Boehler, the former Trump administration special envoy for hostage response, and Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special envoy for Afghanistan, who met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

According to the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Boehler stated that both nations will proceed with the exchange of detained citizens. However, no immediate confirmation was provided by US authorities, and Khalilzad did not respond to requests for comment.

High-Profile Detainees in Focus

The proposed exchange includes Mahmood Habibi, a US citizen and businessman who previously worked in Kabul’s telecommunications sector. Habibi has been missing since 2022, and the US has offered a $5 million reward for information regarding his whereabouts. The Taliban has denied any involvement in his disappearance.

On the Afghan side, the Taliban is reportedly seeking the release of Muhammad Rahim, the last Afghan national held at Guantanamo Bay, detained without charge since 2008. This exchange could mark a critical step toward resolving longstanding prisoner issues between the two countries.

Previous Exchanges Highlight Growing Dialogue

This latest negotiation follows a series of exchanges in recent months. In March 2025, American airline mechanic George Glezmann was released after more than two years in Taliban detention. That deal, mediated by Qatar, was described as a “humanitarian gesture” and a “sign of goodwill” by the Taliban.

Earlier, in January 2025, US citizens Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty were freed in exchange for Afghan national Khan Mohammad, who had been serving two life sentences in the United States. Both sides agreed to continue discussions regarding prisoners held in each country.

Implications for US-Taliban Relations

The Taliban’s administration, which regained power in Afghanistan in 2021 after two decades of US military presence, remains unrecognized by Washington. Nevertheless, these talks reflect a pragmatic approach from both sides, prioritizing humanitarian concerns and the resolution of long-standing detention cases.

While formal confirmation from the US government is pending, the reported agreement signals a potential thaw in communication channels and sets the stage for future negotiations on broader diplomatic and security issues in the region.