The Taliban has opened the door to talks with the United States on potentially ending the war in Afghanistan. On Tuesday, the Taliban confirmed it would open a political office in Qatar that could pave the way for negotiations. The Taliban also called for the release of its leaders still imprisoned by the U.S. military at Guantánamo Bay. The statement made no mention of the Afghan government, which the United States has said must take a leading role in any talks for reconciliation. In Washington, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland repeated that stance.

Victoria Nuland, State Department spokesperson: “We are not aware of any formal decision. We’re not aware of any formal announcement. But we are prepared to support a process that the Afghans support and with regard to any office. You know, it would be a question for the host country, the Afghans and the Afghan Taliban to agree on. You don’t negotiate a peace deal at the end of a war with your friends. We’ve seen in many other conflict situations that you have to have a political address if you’re going to begin a political conversation.”