Trump warns UK against giving away island with U.S. base in Indian Ocean

President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned the United Kingdom against following through with a handover of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius in light of tense nuclear negotiations with Iran and the presence of an American military base in the region.

The Starmer government recently agreed to a handover of the Chagos archipelago to the Indian Ocean nation of Mauritius in an agreement that drew widespread domestic scrutiny. The U.S. currently maintains the Diego Garcia military base in the archipelago. Trump, for his part, warned that the deal would have negative consequences for regional security.

"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, strategically located in the Indian Ocean," he posted on Truth Social. "Our relationship with the United Kingdom is a strong and powerful one, and it has been for many years, but Prime Minister Starmer is losing control of this important Island by claims of entities never known of before."

"In our opinion, they are fictitious in nature. Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in 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," he added. "Prime Minister Starmer should not lose control, for any reason, of Diego Garcia, by entering a tenuous, at best, 100 Year Lease. This land should not be taken away from the U.K. and, if it is allowed to be, it will be a blight on our Great Ally. We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the U.K., but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them. DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!"

Mauritius has never governed the Chagos islands, but maintains a claim to sovereignty.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.