US officials met with Taliban leaders to discuss releasing American detainees and improving relations.

US officials met with Taliban leaders in Afghanistan to discuss the release of American detainees and improve bilateral relations. The delegation, led by hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler and former US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, talked about imprisoned citizens, including the high-profile case of Mahmood Habibi, though the Taliban denies holding him. The Taliban, which took power in 2021, is not officially recognized by the US.