WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to UK, urging it not to “give away” the strategic Indian Ocean base at Diego Garcia, highlighting its importance for potential US military operations against Iran.
Read More: UK PM urges Trump to show restraint after US approves strikes on Iran
Trump’s comments came hours after the US State Department endorsed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s agreement to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while leasing the Diego Garcia base to the US-UK alliance for 100 years. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called the proposed lease “tenuous” and warned that losing control of the base would be a “blight on our Great Ally.”
Trump Warns UK Over Strategic Diego Garcia Base Amid Iran Tensions
US President Donald Trump cautioned the UK not to “give away” the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean, calling it crucial for potential operations against Iran. His remarks came after discussions over… pic.twitter.com/URhWjPWlAS
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“The United States will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the UK, but they have to remain strong,” Trump wrote, emphasizing that Diego Garcia would be vital in the event of a strike on Iran. He referenced the nearby US airfield in Fairford, England, as another potential launch point for operations.
Britain’s Foreign Office defended the agreement, saying it ensures the “long-term future of this vital military base” and safeguards the security of the UK and its allies. The base has long been central to US and UK strategic planning, and Trump’s remarks come amid growing tensions in the Middle East following Iran’s crackdown on mass protests and continued disputes over its nuclear program.
The dispute over Diego Garcia also touches on historical grievances: thousands of Chagos Islanders were evicted after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s, and Trump dismissed their claims as “fictitious in nature.”
Read More: US military preparing for potentially weeks-long Iran operations
Trump’s latest warning contrasts with the State Department’s support for the deal and his own previous statements accepting the agreement after discussions with Starmer, highlighting his shifting stance on UK-US strategic issues.
Analysts say the comments underscore Washington’s reliance on Diego Garcia as a key military asset in any contingency against Iran, while also reflecting Trump’s continued influence on foreign policy narratives.