In a post on Truth Social dated February 18, Trump said he had advised Starmer that entering into a 100-year lease arrangement concerning Diego Garcia was a “big mistake.” The island, located in the Indian Ocean and part of the Chagos Archipelago, hosts a key US military presence and has long been viewed as critical to regional and global security operations.
Trump wrote that long-term leases were not suitable when national interests and territorial control were involved. He questioned the legitimacy of parties asserting claims over the territory and suggested that such claims were “fictitious in nature.” While emphasizing the longstanding and strong relationship between Washington and London, the US president warned that the United Kingdom risked losing effective control over a strategically vital location.
The remarks also linked the issue to broader geopolitical tensions, particularly involving Iran. Trump indicated that Diego Garcia could become crucial if diplomatic efforts regarding Iran’s nuclear programme were to fail. He said the United States might need to rely on facilities at Diego Garcia and the airfield at Fairford to counter potential threats from what he described as an unstable regime that could endanger the United Kingdom and its allies.
Trump urged British leadership to maintain a firm stance, concluding his message with a direct appeal not to relinquish control of the island. His comments mark a shift in tone after earlier indications of US support for arrangements involving the territory.
The debate over Diego Garcia has intensified in recent months. In early February, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu signaled openness to an arrangement that would allow the United States to maintain its presence at the Naval Support Facility on Diego Garcia. However, he indicated this would be tied to broader territorial considerations involving the Chagos Archipelago.
The United Kingdom had previously confirmed plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, a move that initially appeared to have Washington’s backing. Mauritius has maintained that any sovereignty change would still permit continued US and UK military operations on the island.
Trump’s latest intervention underscores growing scrutiny in Washington over the long-term strategic implications of the proposed arrangements. Analysts note that Diego Garcia remains one of the most important forward operating bases for US military and intelligence activities in the Indian Ocean region, particularly amid evolving tensions related to Iran and wider Indo-Pacific security dynamics.
British officials have not yet publicly responded to Trump’s latest remarks. The situation continues to draw attention from policymakers and security experts who view the future status of Diego Garcia as a matter with significant implications for allied defence cooperation and regional stability.
