President Donald Trump publicly urged the United Kingdom not to proceed with plans to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, warning that doing so would be a “major mistake.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stressed the strategic importance of Diego Garcia, a key U.S.–UK military base in the Indian Ocean. He suggested the facility along with RAF Fairford in Britain may be critical if tensions with Iran escalate or nuclear negotiations collapse.
The White House later confirmed that maintaining control and operational flexibility over Diego Garcia is now a core policy position. The remarks appear to contrast with earlier signals from the U.S. State Department that had shown openness toward the UK’s sovereignty-transfer arrangement.
The issue adds fresh strain to transatlantic relations, as Washington weighs both diplomatic and military options regarding Iran.
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