The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that reports have been received indicating the Islamic Emirate has detained more American citizens than previously reported.

Rubio stressed that if this information is confirmed, the United States might announce a reward larger than the one set for Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden for the arrest of senior leaders of Afghanistan's interim government.

Regarding this matter, the US Secretary of State said: “Just hearing the Taliban is holding more American hostages than has been reported. If this is true, we will have to immediately place a VERY BIG bounty on their top leaders, maybe even bigger than the one we had on Bin Laden.”

"I believe it is now time for a new chapter to be opened between the Islamic Emirate and the United States. Resolving these issues through dialogue and diplomatic relations will benefit both the Islamic Emirate and the United States," said Abdul Jabbar Akbari, a political analyst.

While the interim Afghan government has yet to respond to these remarks by the US Secretary of State, the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate had previously stated that they are working to secure the release of all Afghan prisoners from the United States, including an Afghan prisoner in Guantanamo bay.

Zabihullah Mujahid also expressed hope that they could reach an agreement with the US on this matter.

"This issue should be resolved through dialogue and greater engagement so that we can exchange these prisoners with Afghan detainees in the United States. Pressure is not the solution," said Salim Paigir, a political analyst.

Earlier, the spokesperson for the White House National Security Council stated that Donald Trump is seeking the release of all American citizens detained in Afghanistan.