Donald Trump has reversed his stance on the Chagos Islands issue, criticizing Keir Starmer after previously supporting the UK’s agreement with Mauritius. In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump accused Starmer of making a “big mistake” by entering a 100-year lease for Diego Garcia, an island strategically located in the Indian Ocean.
The 79-year-old US leader’s position has been inconsistent, with Trump previously calling the handover of the islands “an act of great stupidity” before acknowledging it as the best deal Starmer could secure. Under the agreement, the UK is relinquishing sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius after two centuries, while leasing back Diego Garcia, which houses a crucial US-UK military base, at a cost of £101 million annually.
Trump’s latest comments suggested skepticism towards the entities claiming rights over Diego Garcia, stating they are of dubious nature. He emphasized the importance of the base for potential operations, including a possible strike on Iran. Despite Trump’s sudden change in tone, the US State Department confirmed support for the UK-Mauritius agreement, with plans for upcoming talks between the US and Mauritius.
The US President also hinted at using Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in the UK for military actions against Iran if necessary. RAF Fairford, operated by the US Air Force, serves as a key European airfield for heavy bombers and surveillance flights. Starmer noted that the White House had reviewed the Chagos deal and ultimately expressed support, with backing from key figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth.
