 In response to the article, ambassador Otaiba wrote an open letter to the New York Times on the August 9, 2017, claiming that the previously issued article carried half information and as a result, told the half story.Ambassador Otaiba commented on the allegation by arguing that the decision to host the Taliban embassy was requested from the US and the UAE offer was made due to being pressured by the US.The ambassador added that the UAE had presented three conditions to the group and the refusal to accept has led the Gulf nation to withdraw its offer to host them.