The U.S. State Department announced that “The United States has seized the Afghan Embassy in Washington and its consulates in New York and Beverly Hills, California,” noting that they “bear sole responsibility for the security and maintenance of diplomatic missions Monday through Friday. and will not allow anyone to enter Entry without her permission until further notice.

The move comes after the Department determined that the Afghan embassy and consulates “officially ceased diplomatic and consular activities in the United States at noon on May 16,” noting that “until further notice, the State Department’s Office of Foreign Missions has assumed full responsibility.” to ensure the protection of the Mission’s property mentioned and preserved, including, but not limited to, all real and tangible property, furnishings, archives and financial assets.”

It is noteworthy that the US authorities do not recognize the new Taliban government in Afghanistan, which came to power last year after the withdrawal of US and allied troops, and does not have official diplomatic relations with Kabul.