US President Donald Trump on Wednesday cautioned the United Kingdom against relinquishing control of the strategically important Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, calling it potentially “crucial” if Washington moves ahead with military action against Iran. His remarks come as he is reportedly considering possible strikes targeting Iran’s clerical leadership.
The base, a joint US-UK military facility located on Diego Garcia — the largest island in the Chagos archipelago — plays a key role in American operations across the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. Trump’s warning followed renewed support from the US State Department for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Under the proposed arrangement, Britain would lease back the base for 100 years after handing over control.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged Starmer not to proceed with what he described as a “tenuous” century-long lease deal. He argued that surrendering sovereignty would “damage” Britain, a close US ally, and insisted the territory should remain under British authority. He also called on the UK to “stay strong” against what he termed both “internal and external pressures.”
Trump further suggested that if diplomatic efforts with Iran collapse, the US may require access not only to Diego Garcia but also to RAF Fairford — a US-operated air base in England — to counter potential threats from Tehran. He expressed concerns about possible retaliatory attacks on the United Kingdom and other allied nations.
The Chagos Islands have long been a subject of dispute. Britain retained control of the territory after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s, during which thousands of residents were forcibly removed. Many of them have since sought compensation through legal action. Trump dismissed those claims as baseless.
On Tuesday, the US State Department announced forthcoming discussions with Mauritius aimed at safeguarding continued military operations at the base and reiterated support for Britain’s decision to move forward with the agreement.
When questioned about the apparent divergence between Trump’s social media remarks and the State Department’s backing of the deal, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president’s statement should be considered reflective of the administration’s position.
The episode marks another shift in Trump’s evolving stance on the issue. After the deal was initially negotiated by Starmer’s Labour government, Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as “historic.” Trump later criticised the agreement as an “act of GREAT STUPIDITY,” linking it to his broader argument that the United States should acquire Greenland from Denmark. He subsequently said he accepted the arrangement following talks with Starmer — a position he now appears to have reversed.
