President Donald Trump has warned the United States may require access to Diego Garcia’s military facilities to prevent potential Iranian attacks, hours after publicly condemning Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to enter a 100-year lease arrangement over the Chagos Islands base.
The President posted on Truth Social that entities claiming rights to the strategically located Indian Ocean archipelago are “fictitious in nature,” whilst cautioning the Prime Minister is “losing control of this important Island by claims of entities never known of before.”
Trump stated that should Iran refuse to make a deal, it may prove necessary for the US to use Diego Garcia alongside the airfield at Fairford “in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime – an attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly Countries.”
The extraordinary public criticism came just hours after the US Government officially backed the Chagos Islands agreement. The UK Government has sounded positive about its discussions with Washington, though Trump’s tirade suggests those sentiments have not originated from the President himself.
Trump told Starmer directly that leases represent poor arrangements when dealing with countries. “I have been telling Prime Minister Keir Starmer, of the United Kingdom, that Leases are no good when it comes to Countries, and that he is making a big mistake by entering a 100 Year Lease with whoever it is that is ‘claiming’ Right, Title, and interest to Diego Garcia,” he wrote.
The President emphasized the strength of UK-US relations whilst simultaneously criticizing the British leader’s handling of the agreement. Trump stated their relationship “is a strong and powerful one, and it has been for many years” before pivoting to his concerns about the lease arrangement.
The warning about potential Iranian military action adds a security dimension to Trump’s opposition beyond his stated objections to lease arrangements for strategic territories. The mention of RAF Fairford alongside Diego Garcia suggests US contingency planning for military operations potentially involving both bases.
Trump’s characterization of entities claiming rights to the Chagos Islands as “fictitious” raises questions about whether he recognizes the legitimacy of parties involved in the lease negotiations. His statement that these entities were “never known of before” suggests skepticism about their standing.
The contradiction between official US Government backing and Trump’s personal opposition creates diplomatic uncertainty around implementation of the Chagos agreement. The 100-year lease arrangement now faces public criticism from the US President despite receiving formal support from his administration.
The timing of Trump’s intervention, coming hours after official US backing, complicates the UK Government’s position on an agreement it has presented as internationally supported. How Downing Street responds to Trump’s characterization of the deal as an “extraordinary mistake” will determine whether diplomatic tensions escalate or can be managed privately.
