Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad seen at Taliban $200 million oil deal ceremony

The Taliban’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum announced on Sept. 7, 2026 a $200 million contract to develop an oil block, and former US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad was present at the Kabul ceremony, describing the partnership as a catalyst for foreign investment in Afghanistan’s underground wealth. Khalilzad’s connection to the sector stretches back to his pre-9/11 work as a consultant for Unocal and his public defense of the Taliban, and he later held senior diplomatic posts, including US ambassador to Afghanistan and special representative for reconciliation under Presidents Bush, Trump and Biden.

In that capacity he led negotiations that re-integrated the Taliban into governance while sidelining Afghan officials who questioned his strategy. Persistent rumors suggest his commercial dealings, often routed through family members, constitute a conflict of interest. The timing of the oil deal—aligned with the 25th anniversary of the attacks that killed nearly 2,500 American troops—has intensified demands for a congressional hearing. The piece argues the arrangement exemplifies a troubling blend of diplomacy and personal profit, urging further investigation.