Taliban Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob Mujahid said the group’s main priority in its dealings with Washington is the lifting of US sanctions.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mujahid said Taliban relations with the United States are primarily focused on political and economic issues. He recently travelled to Doha, where he expressed solidarity with Qatar and met local officials.

The United States lists the Taliban as a “global terrorist organisation,” and several of its senior leaders remain under sanctions. Washington froze Afghanistan’s central bank assets after the Taliban seized power in 2021 and has said normalising ties depends on fundamental changes in the group’s human rights record.

Taliban leaders have repeatedly demanded recognition from foreign governments, including the United States, and pressed for sanctions relief. So far, only Russia has formally recognised the group.

Since March, US delegations have visited Afghanistan at least twice. Visitors have included Adam Boehler, presidential envoy for hostage affairs, and Zalmay Khalilzad, Washington’s former special representative for Afghanistan. Talks with Taliban officials have focused largely on the release of American hostages.

the Taliban defense minister reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the Doha Agreement, saying Afghan soil would not be used to threaten other countries. He also highlighted efforts to build a conventional army, claiming “significant steps” had already been taken.