In a recent statement, President Donald Trump underscored the potential for military intervention by the United States to ensure control over the Diego Garcia air base in the Chagos Islands. This assertion came amid concerns that future agreements might compromise access to this pivotal U.S.-U.K. facility.
Expressing these views on Thursday via a post on Truth Social, Trump also indicated a readiness to mend fences with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He described their discussions regarding the Indian Ocean base as “very productive.”
Highlighting the crucial role of Diego Garcia, Trump emphasized its significance to U.S. national security. The island, which is the largest in the Chagos archipelago, hosts a major U.S. military installation and has been a strategic asset since it was leased from the United Kingdom in 1966.
“Diego Garcia is strategically situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, making it of immense importance to the national security of the United States,” Trump noted. His comments reflect the island’s enduring value to military operations and geopolitical stability in the region.
Moreover, Trump acknowledged the U.K.’s efforts in negotiating a complex arrangement that involves transferring sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius, while maintaining a lease for Diego Garcia for at least 99 years. He characterized this as “the best deal” achievable under the circumstances, pointing to the delicacy and significance of the diplomatic negotiations involved.
Trump also acknowledged that the U.K. struck what he called “the best deal he could make” under a controversial agreement to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while leasing Diego Garcia back for at least 99 years.
“However, if the lease deal, sometime in the future, ever falls apart, or anyone threatens or endangers U.S. operations and forces at our base, I retain the right to militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia,” Trump warned.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump look to move past tensions about the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands. (Reuters/Suzanne Plunkett/Pool)
“Let it be known that I will never allow our presence on a base as important as this to ever be undermined or threatened by fake claims or environmental nonsense.”
The comments marked a slight shift in tone from Trump, who in January criticized the U.K.-Mauritius deal as an “act of great stupidity” and an “act of total weakness,” accusing Britain of surrendering a critical military asset.
Diego Garcia serves as a hub for long-range bombers, logistics, intelligence collection and military communications across the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific and Africa, hosting around 2,500 U.S. and military and civilian personnel.
The island base has been used for long-range U.S. operations such as in Afghanistan and in Yemen.
According to Reuters, Downing Street had confirmed Trump and Starmer discussed Diego Garcia during a recent call and agreed to safeguard the base’s continued operation.
Diego Garcia is a strategic Indian Ocean base hosting 2,500 U.S. military personnel. (Reuters)
“Turning to Diego Garcia, and the deal the U.K. has secured to maintain control of the U.S.-U.K. military base to protect national security, the leaders recognized its strategic importance,” a No. 10 spokeswoman said.
“The leaders agreed their governments would continue working closely to guarantee the future operation of the base and speak again soon.”
Under the agreement, British taxpayers are projected to pay roughly £35 billion [$47 billion] over the next century, including annual payments of about £160 million [$216 million] to Mauritius, according to public estimates.
Britain has also agreed to approximately £3 billion [$4 billion] in compensation over the life of the deal, with an option to extend the lease for an additional 50 years.
The agreement has also drawn criticism from Britain’s Conservative Party, which argues the deal weakens the U.K.’s strategic position and risks undermining long-standing security ties with the U.S.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a news conference in London. (Thomas Krych/Pool via Reuters)
Mauritius has said its sovereignty over the islands is “unequivocally recognized” under international law and has called for swift implementation of the agreement.
As previously reported by Fox News Digital, a Downing Street spokesperson also said in January the U.K. is continuing efforts to “allay any concerns” in Washington.
“We will continue to engage with the U.S. on this important matter and the importance of the deal to secure U.S. and U.K. interests,” the spokesperson said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Downing Street for comment, while the White House referred to Trump’s Truth Social post.
