Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Call With Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Bismillah Khan Mohammadi
July 1, 2021

On July 1, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Bismillah Khan Mohammadi to congratulate him on his new appointment as Afghan Defense Minister. Secretary Austin stressed that the Department of Defense is deeply invested in the security and stability of Afghanistan, and in the pursuit of a negotiated settlement that ends the war. He also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) as the withdrawal of U.S. forces continues.

Minister Mohammadi expressed his appreciation for the United States’ continuous support to the Afghan Security Forces and the Afghan people. Both leaders acknowledged the shared sacrifices of U.S. and Afghan forces, including the most recent attacks on the ANDSF by the Taliban. Secretary Austin made clear the United States’ intent to transition to a new relationship with Afghanistan and with the Afghan forces, one that continues to help the Afghan Government meet its responsibilities to its citizens.