Starmer making big mistake, says Trump in fresh attack on Chagos deal

2026-02-19 - 06:33

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday criticized the UK's plan to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back an important military base.He said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was making a big mistake by entering into a lease on the Indian Ocean Chagos archipelago that hosts the Diego Garcia joint air base.Under a 2025 agreement, Britain will transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining control of the strategically important Diego Garcia base under a 99-year lease."Do not give away Diego Garcia," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, saying the base could be called upon in any future military operation to "eradicate a potential attack" from Iran."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 added.This comes despite Washington on Tuesday giving its official backing to London's plan to cede sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius.In response to Trump, the UK Foreign Office said the Chagos Islands deal was "crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies, and to keeping the British people safe".Responding to Trump's latest remarks, a British foreign office spokesperson said the deal was "crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies"."The agreement we have reached is the only way to guarantee the long-term future of this vital military base," the statement added.Asked about Trump's latest comments, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "