‘My 8th war to solve’: Trump offers to step into Afghanistan-Pakistan clash

Amid escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump has said he plans to “take up” the conflict between the two neighbouring nations, claiming he is “good at solving wars.”

Trump’s remarks came as fierce clashes erupted along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border after Taliban forces retaliated against alleged Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul.

The exchange of fire has led to heavy casualties on both sides, with Afghanistan claiming to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers, while Islamabad said its forces captured 19 Afghan posts along the frontier.

Speaking to reporters before departing for Israel — where he is set to attend the release of hostages following a ceasefire in Gaza — Trump said resolving the latest South Asian conflict would be his next priority.

“This will be my eighth war that I have solved, and I hear there is a war now going on between Pakistan and Afghanistan. I said, I’ll have to wait till I get back. I am doing another one. Because I am good at solving wars,” Trump said.

Reiterating his previous claims of brokering peace in long-running conflicts, including between India and Pakistan, Trump said it was an “honour” to help end wars and save lives.

“Think about India, Pakistan. Think about some of the wars that were going on for years. We had one going for 31, one for 32, one for 37 years—with millions of people being killed in every country—and I got every one of those done, for the most part, within a day. It’s pretty good,” he added.

Trump’s comments come just days after his hopes of winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize were dashed, as the award went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.

“In all fairness to the Nobel Committee, it was for 2024. But there are those who say you could make an exception because a lot of things happened during 2025 that are done and complete and great. But I did not do this for the Nobel. I did this for saving lives,” Trump said.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high along the Durand Line as both Afghan and Pakistani forces accuse each other of cross-border aggression. Key border crossings were closed on Sunday following intense overnight clashes.

Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Taliban troops “responded decisively” to Pakistani attacks, while Islamabad has yet to confirm any casualties.