President Donald Trump has warned that the US could use military force to secure the Diego Garcia air base in the Chagos Islands if a future deal threatens access to the joint US-British installation.
Trump made the comments in a Truth Social post on Thursday, while signaling his willingness to overcome tensions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after what he described as “very productive discussions” over the Indian Ocean base.
Trump emphasized the strategic importance of the base and said Diego Garcia’s role was essential to U.S. national security.
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Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago and site of a major US military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean, was leased from Britain in 1966. (Reuters)
“It is the site of a major American military base, strategically located in the middle of the Indian Ocean and therefore of great importance to the national security of the United States,” Trump wrote.
Trump also acknowledged that Britain had made “the best deal he could make” under a controversial agreement to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius and lease back Diego Garcia for at least 99 years.
“If the lease fails at any time in the future, or if anyone threatens or endangers U.S. operations and forces on our base, I reserve the right to militarily secure and enhance the U.S. presence in Diego Garcia,” Trump warned.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump are trying to overcome tensions surrounding the Diego Garcia military base on 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 false claims or environmental nonsense.”
The comments marked a slight change in tone from Trump, who in January criticized the Britain-Mauritius deal as an “act of gross stupidity” and an “act of total weakness,” accusing Britain of handing over a crucial military asset.
Diego Garcia serves as a hub for long-range bomber, logistics, intelligence collection and military communications in the Middle East, Indo-Pacific and Africa, hosting approximately 2,500 U.S. military and civilian personnel.
The island base has been used for US long-range operations, such as in Afghanistan and Yemen.
According to ReutersDowning Street had confirmed that Trump and Starmer had discussed Diego Garcia during a recent phone call and agreed to secure the base’s continued operations.
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Diego Garcia is a strategic base in the Indian Ocean that houses 2,500 American troops. (Reuters)
“Regarding Diego Garcia and the deal Britain has struck to retain control of the US-British military base to protect national security, leaders recognized its strategic importance,” a No 10 spokeswoman said.
“The leaders agreed that their governments would continue to work closely to ensure the future operation of the base and would speak again soon.”
Under the deal, British taxpayers are expected to pay around £35 billion [$47 billion] over the next century, including annual payments of around £160 million [$216 million] to Mauritius, according to public estimates.
Britain has also agreed to around £3 billion [$4 billion] in compensation over the term of the deal, with an option to extend the lease for a further 50 years.
The agreement has also drawn criticism from Britain’s Conservative Party, which says the deal weakens Britain’s strategic position and risks undermining long-standing security ties with the US.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference in London. (Thomas Krych/Pool via Reuters)
Mauritius has said its sovereignty over the islands is “unequivocally recognized” under international law and called for swift implementation of the agreement.
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“We will continue to engage with the US on this important issue and the importance of the deal to safeguard US and UK interests,” the spokesperson said.
