The Afghan Taliban on Tuesday described as "regrettable" the United States' decision to designate Afghanistan as a "state supporting arbitrary detention," while affirming their desire to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
This reaction comes after Monday's announcement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who formally accused the Taliban government of unjustly detaining American citizens. Washington has called for the immediate release of all American citizens held in the country.
Among those involved are Mahmood Habibi and Dennis Coyle, whose release the United States is demanding.
The Taliban authorities indicated that they wished to resolve this issue through diplomatic discussions, believing that the American designation was not justified.
Washington's decision comes amid persistent tensions between the United States and the Taliban regime, which has ruled Afghanistan since the withdrawal of Western forces in 2021.
Relations between the two sides remain limited and largely focused on humanitarian and security issues and the situation of foreign nationals detained in the country.
