US Edition
Trump says UK's Starmer making 'a big mistake' on Diego Garcia lease
Trump warned Starmer that ceding Diego Garcia risks US-UK military readiness amid Iran tensions, opposing a 99-year lease despite State Department support for the UK-Mauritius deal.
- The State Department will hold three days of talks next week in Port Louis on Diego Garcia to discuss security arrangements for US operations.
- The May 2025 UK‑Mauritius agreement involves returning the Chagos Archipelago in exchange for a 99‑year British lease of Diego Garcia at about US$100 million a year, following a 2019 ICJ ruling.
- Diego Garcia's location allows wide regional reach; US forces see it as vital for operations despite legal constraints like the African Nuclear‑Weapon‑Free Zone and transit ambiguities.
- The United States said it supports Britain and is holding talks with Britain as President Donald Trump called the transfer an `act of GREAT STUPIDITY` and warned he would militarily reinforce US presence if threatened.
- Some experts propose a regional AUKUS or Quad‑plus‑British hub at Diego Garcia, while observers warn Mauritius' growing economic ties to Beijing could increase Chinese influence, affecting long‑term control of the base.
155 Articles
155 Articles
As Iran strikes loom, US and UK fight over Indian Ocean base
As the U.S. surges troops to the Middle East, a battle is brewing over a strategically significant American base in the middle of the Indian Ocean.President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he would oppose any effort to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, arguing that a U.S. base on the island of Diego Garcia may be necessary to “eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous [Iranian] Regime.” The comment came just a d…
NEW: UK Government Caves, Pauses Plans For Strategically Vital Island After Pressure From Trump
The United Kingdom has temporarily halted progress on a significant agreement involving the Chagos Archipelago, including the strategically important atoll of Diego Garcia, in response to recent pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. Diego Garcia is a coral atoll located in the central Indian Ocean, approximately 1,600 kilometers south of India and 3,200 kilometers east of Tanzania. It forms part of the Chagos Archipelago, which has been adm…
The British want to hand over the Chagos islands to Mauritius, but keep the military base. Washington's approval is now the biggest challenge.
Trump Warns U.K. Not to 'Lose Control' of Chagos Islands
President Donald Trump warned U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer against handing over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, arguing it could leave Britain vulnerable to a potential attack from the “highly unstable and dangerous” Iranian regime. Diego Garcia of the Chagos Islands is currently home to a strategic U.K.-U.S. military base—a fact Trump referred to in his statement. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] “Should Iran decide not …
Do not give away Diego Garcia, Trump tells UK
US President Trump warns UK PM Starmer against leasing Diego Garcia to Mauritius, emphasizing its strategic military importance. Trump highlights potential security risks, linking the island's control to US military actions against Iran.
The British government will soon return the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius, a move that has left US President Donald Trump still unhappy. He has signaled that the United States could use the military base there for military action against Iran.
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