Overview
- President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Britain should not relinquish control of Diego Garcia, arguing the base might be needed if Iran talks collapse.
- The White House spokeswoman said the post represents the position of the U.S. government, underscoring a split with the State Department’s earlier support for implementing the transfer.
- Under the agreement signed in May, the UK would return the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius while granting a century‑long lease that maintains U.S.-UK operations on Diego Garcia.
- Trump’s stance has shifted repeatedly, from calling the return “dumb” in January to briefly accepting it after speaking with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, then reversing again this week.
- Trump also cited the RAF base at Fairford as a potential operating location; both Fairford and Diego Garcia are already used by U.S. forces, and the UK says the pact has not yet been ratified and would require U.S. consent before taking effect.