Trump changed mind on Chagos deal ‘after UK blocked use of Diego Garcia for Iran strikes’

Donald Trump has publicly criticized Keir Starmer's plan to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, despite the US State Department's support for the agreement. The deal involves Britain relinquishing control of the British Indian Ocean Territory while leasing Diego Garcia, the largest island, for 99 years to maintain a joint US-UK military base. Trump stated that losing control of Diego Garcia would be a "big mistake," suggesting the US might need the island, along with RAF Fairford, to counter potential Iranian aggression. He believes the UK should not relinquish the land and described the proposed lease as tenuous. Trump's press secretary confirmed his social media post reflects the policy of a potential future Trump administration. The UK's shadow foreign secretary, Priti Patel, stated that Trump had publicly rebuked Keir Starmer over the Chagos surrender.

Donald Trump has reversed his position on the UK's proposed deal regarding the Chagos Islands, now calling it a "big mistake." This contradicts his previous endorsement of the agreement as the "best" arrangement for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump argues the UK should maintain control of Diego Garcia, citing its strategic importance for a potential US military operation against Iran. He believes restricting military access to the Diego Garcia base could leave the UK vulnerable to attack. Trump dismissed Mauritius' claim to the islands as "fictitious." The Chagos Islands, including the Diego Garcia military base, are located in the Indian Ocean.

In February 2026, former US President Donald Trump criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plan to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, despite the US State Department's approval of the deal. Trump stated Starmer was making a "big mistake" regarding the agreement to return sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius and lease back Diego Garcia, home to a UK-US military base. He suggested the base on Diego Garcia might be needed to respond to a potential attack from Iran. The UK detached the Chagos Islands from Mauritius in 1814 and later worked with the US to establish the military base, displacing the islands' residents. While Mauritius won its legal battle for sovereignty in 2019, the UK will maintain a 99-year lease of Diego Garcia.

Four Chagossians landed on the Île du Coin atoll in the Chagos Archipelago, establishing a settlement to protest the planned British transfer of the islands to Mauritius in 2025. The group, led by Misley Mandarin, aims to facilitate the return of Chagossians born on the island before their forced removal in the 1960s and 70s. Mauritius' attorney general dismissed the move as a publicity stunt and asserted that Mauritius will not exercise authority until the treaty is ratified. The UN has urged Britain and Mauritius to reconsider the agreement, citing potential rights violations. The UK plans to cede control but lease Diego Garcia for 99 years to continue operating a joint US-UK military base.

The Chagossians, an Indigenous people largely descended from formerly enslaved East Africans, were forcibly removed from their island homeland in the Indian Ocean over 60 years ago. The US had decided to establish a remote military base on Diego Garcia, and officials deemed the Chagossian population a problem to be "cleaned" of inhabitants. In 1967-1973, the UK, with US support, used a manufactured story based on racism and lies to force all 2,000 islanders from their homes. The US built and operates the Diego Garcia base, which has been in operation for over 50 years. Today, many Chagossians live in exile in the UK, Mauritius, and Seychelles, with limited access to their homeland due to restrictions imposed by the UK and US. The islands remain largely abandoned apart from the US military base.

In February 2026, US President Donald Trump seemingly endorsed the UK's decision, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, despite previously criticizing it. The agreement, reached in May of the previous year, grants Mauritius sovereignty over the archipelago in exchange for a 99-year guarantee that the US military base on Diego Garcia can continue operating. Trump stated that he had productive talks with Starmer and that the US would retain the right to militarily secure its presence on Diego Garcia if necessary. The UK government confirmed ongoing cooperation to ensure the base's future operation. The Chagos Islands were home to the Chagossians, who were displaced in the 1960s and 1970s.

After previously criticizing the UK's plan to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, Donald Trump has softened his stance following a phone call with Keir Starmer. The agreement involves the UK ceding control of the islands, including Diego Garcia, while leasing Diego Garcia for 99 years to continue operating a joint US-UK military base. Trump had initially called the deal "an act of great stupidity," citing national security concerns. However, he now states that the deal is "the best" Starmer could make, while also asserting the right to militarily secure the base if US operations are threatened. Starmer and Trump agreed on the importance of the deal for securing the base and maintaining shared security interests. The UK and US will continue to collaborate on implementing the agreement.